GOODNEWSLETTER
Number 408 February 15, 2012
SALVATION EXPLAINED IN ROMANS 5
(DO WE KNOW THE ROMAN ROAD BY HEART?)
"For if when we were enemies were reconciled to God through the death of His Son,
much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life, Romans 5:10.
Man's salvation is centered in the fact that Jesus had to die. There was no hope unless payment was made for sin. Jesus did die for our sins, giving life to anyone who trusts in His finished work; that is, in
Him alone. Sure, we fear what is ahead – what the future holds – but, when peace enters the heart once God has forgiven us of our sin, we are flooded with His life.We rejoice!
It was 1959 when I believe in the Lord and He saved me. I was young and stupid but, I did not want to go to Hell. As Brother Ted Cooper preached, I heard how to avoid the place of eternal destruction. All I needed to do was trust Jesusas my Savior, he said. I did and, I have never have regretted it! Amen!
Paul's instruction in Romans provides a clear picture of God's plan when it comes to the righteousness required. We see what it means. Like Abraham, we have the promise that God told to him. Abraham "would be the heir of the world" (Rom. 4:13), Paul teaches. Then, perhaps the most precious verses in the Bible, concerning God's love in action, is given Romans, chapter 5.
Paul begins by stating that we were justified by faith in Jesus. Next, peace came to our hearts (V 1). Verse 2 explains that peace comes by grace; even to the point that tribulation has little effect upon the heart. Faith keep tribulationaway and gives us character to continue on in hope, verse 3-4. Then, the next verse of Romans 5 teaches us that hope doesn't disappoint. God's love fills the heart, resulting peace because "...the love of God has been poured outin our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us," verse 5
Romans 5 is such a powerful passage explaining sin and salvation. Of course, the Book of Romans is where the Roman Road is mapped out for us. The Road of Romans 3:10; 3:23; 5:8-10; 6:23 and 10:9-10 teaches us the way tolearn how to walk toward God. If you don't know these verses by heart, shame on you. Back in the sixties, Alisal Baptist Church taught us to memorize the Roman Road. I have never forgotten the road. But, when you walk on a roadlong enough, it becomes very familiar. You feel safe.
Paul explains that the promise of salvation does not come through keeping the Law that was given to Moses at Mt. Sinai. Neither, doing good or anything else will give us the promise. While, the promise began with Abraham and hislineage, the Jews had claim above the Gentiles. However, salvation and the promise given to Abraham has always been by trusting in what God said. Faith is the only means.
We see then, as it is written, "Because the Law brings about wrath; for where there is no law, there is no transgression" (Rom. 4:15). The demands of the Law clearly informs us of the impossibility of doing or keeping its demands. The Roman instruction shows us that "...God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (5:8).
To me, Romans 5:9 informs my heart how that I was saved and, thereby justified; as well as, how I was saved from His wrath to come. "Much more then,,having now been justified by His BLOOD, we shall be saved from wrath throughHim." Like the Old Testament Tabernacle, the blood that was shed on the Altar to forgive sin, was the same blood that was carried to the Holy of Holies and sprinkled on the Mercy Seat of God. THE VERY SAME BLOOD.
In the act of completion, Jesus announced, "It is finished." To be saved, we must trust in the blood of Calvary. And, like the blood of the Tabernacle that went from Altar to Mercy Seat, we know that His one act was all that needed for usto remain saved. Trust continues, of course. We must trust in the Blood to inherit with Abraham. The Bible teaches that every person needs to be born again.Salvation is also taught that we are to walk the narrow road if we shall inheritthe Kingdom (Matthew 7:21 &22).
Salvation's deal is done. Never, can one lose his salvation. He is safe from hell. And, never can one lose the inheritance of Abraham's promise; as long as faith is in the heart and action produces fruit, doing His will; building on the Rock.