Who...Me? Romans 5:1-11

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:1-11 (NIV)

Who...Me? Justification THEN Sanctification The effects of justification are seen on the foundation of being right with God (vs. 1-5) The guarantee of such blessedness (vs. 6-11) Next week = “Under New Management”

vs. 1 “peace” vs. 2 “access” (Eph. 2:14-18; 3:12) = GRACE vs. 2, 3 “hope of the glory of God” - HOW? Through suffering where endurance leads to a tested / refined character (2 Tim 2:3) Lamentations 3:25-27 vs. 5 = No disappointment

New relationship with God Our standing in GRACE is guaranteed: One hand - Death (Sacrifice) - vs. 6-8 Other hand - Risen life (Saviour) - vs Are we Righteous or Good? - No! vs. 10 Reconciliation - Death - While Enemies Salvation - Life - Friends Salvation = Progressive Holiness that leads us to escape from God’s wrath because... He is faithful to complete the work - Phil. 1:6

And there’s more..! Reconciliation = Change / Exchange Greek “κατ·αλλαγή” = “a change of nature” Enmity to Friendship

Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. New Living Translation