Romans 5:9: Since, Therefore, We Have Now Been Justified By His Blood

Romans 5:9
[9] Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. (ESV)

Have you ever known someone who was an organ donor? It is a wonderful selfless act to give one part of your body to another person so that they can live. In some respects we could say that Christ was the organ donor for our spiritual life. With the exception that Christ gave more than an organ he gave his whole body for ours.

We have been justified by the blood of Christ. The sacrifice that he made on our behalf was complete. In the Old Testament sacrificial system it was required that the blood of an animal be shed to provide atonement for the sins of the people. This requirement of the blood of animals was an illustration of the true "lamb" who would be sacrificed for all of sinful mankind; Jesus.

Paul is saying here that while it is amazing that Christ would be willing to make such a sacrifice on our behalf it is even more amazing what happens as a result of his sacrifice. We are saved from the wrath of God. This fact is lost on many "Christians." It is almost as if we think that Christ's sacrifice just makes us better people.

Christ's sacrifice for us saves us from the terrible, eternal, and justified wrath of God. Jesus took all of our punishment on his back. There is none left for us. This truth ought to fill your heart with joy and gratitude. God had to have his wrath satisfied. The fact that you are not punished for your sins does not mean that your sins are not punished. It means that the punishment was taken for you by Jesus.

It is amazing that Christ died for us. It is even more amazing that God's wrath has been satisfied with none left for those who believe in his name. May this reality fill your heart with joy and gratitude. Live your life today in response to his amazing gift.

Comments

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 11:24: For If You Were Cut From What Is By Nature A Wild Olive Tree, And Grafted, Contrary To Nature, Into A Cultivated Olive Tree . . .

Romans 11:24 [24] For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. (ESV) We continue looking at the illustration of an olive tree. The root of the tree is the covenant relationship relationship of God with Abraham. Abraham's faith is what this spiritual tree is built on. The first branches would have been the faithful people of Israel, who like Abraham, placed their faith in God. They believed God, just like Abraham, and it was credited to them as righteousness. There were branches of the people of Israel who never placed their faith in God. Because these branches were not true followers of God they were broken off of the tree. Faith in God was the essential element that made the branches true branches of this spiritual tree. Some branches remained. Others, the faithless unbelievers, were removed. After Jesu

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co

Search This Blog