Bible Study - Unvarnished (4) - One Great Savior - Romans 5:6-11 - September 25, 2016

Bible Study – Unvarnished (4) – One Great Savior – September 25, 2016

This lesson four (4) in our series entitled “Unvarnished Truth: Life’s Greatest Story.”

Our focus scripture is Romans 5:6-11.

GOD offers us hope and forgiveness through JESUS CHRIST.

In last week’s lesson, we learned that all humans are sinners. There is nothing anyone can do to earn salvation. But GOD in HIS wisdom has a plan for man or woman to be redeemed but it would cost the physical life of HIS, sinless, only Son, JESUS.

We learned about the word “propitiation” which the shed blood of JESUS provides a covering such that sinful man or woman can come to GOD. Before JESUS gave HIS life on the cross, that covering was the shed blood of animals which was a temporary place holder until JESUS paid the sin debt, in full, for all who will place their faith in JESUS.

Romans 5:1-5: (Lead-in)

Faith Triumphs

1 Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Who else in the Bible was declared righteous by faith?

Genesis 15:6:

6 Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.

Galatians 3:6:

6 Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness,

2 Also through Him, we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance,

4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.

5 This hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

These verses reveal the benefits of salvation. Our focus scripture reveals the source of salvation.

Let’s read Romans 5:6-8:

Those Declared Righteous Are Reconciled

6 For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly.

The Apostle Paul used the word “helpless.” All people are “helpless” to earn their way to heaven. GOD had a redemptive plan but GOD did not execute HIS plan until just the precise moment. JESUS gave HIS life for the ungodly. HIS shed blood covered those who placed their faith in GOD in the Old Testament, as well as, covers all until the end of the age. JESUS gave HIS physical life by the shedding of HIS blood to break the sin barrier between GOD and mankind.

The shed blood of JESUS broke the sin barrier but each person must choose to accept what JESUS did by faith.

1 Peter 3:18-19: (Looking back to those who died before JESUS died.)

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—

It is believed that the time between JESUS’ death on the cross and HIS resurrection that HE went to the places where those who had died were kept. HE announced that HE was the promised Messiah and those in Paradise went to heaven. Other Bible scholars proclaim that CHRIST went to Hades and claim victory over sin and death. One day we will know the truth.

Let’s continue with our focus scripture:

7 For rarely will someone die for a just person-though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die.

The Apostle Paul seems to pause and ask his readers to stop and ponder what JESUS did for those who will place their faith in HIM. Just think for a minute, is it normal for a person to give his or her life for someone? It is possible, if that person is your child, spouse or close friend but for a complete stranger to do so? I don’t think so. But consider this ---

8 But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us!

Consider the fact that JESUS gave HIS life for all sinners who will place their faith in HIM. That is the height of love for you. Not only did HE give HIS life for you but all who place their faith in HIM. There is more as we read on --

Let’s read Romans 5:9:

9 Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath.

Those who place their faith in JESUS are declared righteous. When a person places his or her faith in CHRIST he or she is justified (justification – just-as-if-I-never-sinned). The process of transformation begins (sanctification – to be set aside for GOD’S purpose) which means he or she is being made into the image of JESUS and continues until he or she is perfected at death which is Glorification – crowning glory.

How does this take place? It is through faith in JESUS. Why? It is to escape the wrath of GOD at judgment day. Sin separates every person from GOD. That is why every person must be reconciled with GOD. GOD knows that and HE made the plan for redemption by HIS grace. Grace equals love.

Do you remember 2 Corinthians 5:17-21?

17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.

18 Now everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

19 that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us.

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ; certain that God is appealing through us, we plead on Christ's behalf, "Be reconciled to God."

21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Let’s read Romans 5:10-11:

10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, [then how] much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life!

Consider what being reconciled to GOD means. It means that your relationship with GOD is restored as if you never sinned. Yet, we know we sin. First John 1:8-9 reveals to us:

8 If we say, "We have no sin," we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Christians sin and we have to confess and repent of our sins. GOD cleanses and restores. Christians live under GOD’S grace. The key is that you belong to GOD through faith in JESUS.

Being reconciled to GOD through the death of JESUS is essential but how much more there is to the death of JESUS. Consider JESUS’ resurrection.  “Saved by HIS life” refers to HIS resurrected life. GOD demonstrated by the resurrection of JESUS that JESUS’ death paid the debt for sin, in full, and that HIS death conquered both sin and eternal death. The resurrection of JESUS guarantees that all who place their faith in HIM will be forgiven for their sins and are born into GOD’S family and will receive their New Glorified Resurrected bodies at the second coming of JESUS.

Thus the last statement “saved by HIS life,” refers to HIS resurrected life. Our path to GOD is through faith in JESUS. Now that is Good News!

Christians do not serve a dead Savior but a living Savior who intercedes for them when they sin.

11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

The shed blood of JESUS reconciles sinners with GOD. Each person must choose whether or not to accept this open opportunity to place his or her faith in JESUS. Those who do are redeemed from the consequences of sin, which is eternal death. Those who place their faith in JESUS have been justified, made righteous, received eternal life, born-Spiritually into GOD’S family as HIS Son or Daughter, with the right to call GOD Daddy, citizenship in Heaven, sanctified and awaiting glorification.

This is the Good News! Have you accepted JESUS as your Savior? HE gave HIS life just for you. If you have not by faith asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and asked HIM to come into your life as your Savior, why not? Keep in mind the words that JESUS spoke to the Apostle Thomas in John 14:6:

6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Now is your opportunity to accept JESUS as your Savior. Why wait?

Blessings!!!