Romans 5

May Memory Verse: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV

Read: Romans 5

Of Abraham, Paul wrote, “No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised” (Romans 4:20–21). “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

 Within these verses, we have the best example and explanation of “faith” in all of Scripture. Thus, as we enter into Romans 5, Paul sums up the argument that he has been making—that although neither Jew nor Gentile have any claim to salvation what-so-ever, God has dispensed un-earned saving grace by one means only—faith in Christ.

Paul concluded his discussion of Abraham’s faith saying, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” That’s great news folks! This is what separates true Christian faith from all other religions—Paul has been saying that righteousness cannot be found through works, through the Law, or any such means. Righteousness (the same word as justification in Greek) is received through faith.

Salvation by grace through faith was a radical idea to both Jews and Gentiles. Paul defended this idea that faith does not disappoint us in our trails. In fact, he said, “we boast (rejoice) in them” (5:3). Why? Because through trials and suffering our hope is confirmed by the Holy Spirit through whom God pours His love into our hearts.

Verse 6 and following make it clear that Christ did not die because we deserved it. Instead, God made the way of salvation possible while we were dead in sin. Thus, the content of our faith is Jesus Christ—"while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”

Faith is not an abstract thought or feeling we have. It is very clear and specific trust in a promise that God has made. That trust demands a response. I’ve often said, “Faith is the action of belief.” For Abraham, God said “Go” and Abraham went. As a Hebrew professor of mine used to say, “Covenant requires obligation.” As we express faith in Christ, we are the beneficiaries of God’s New Covenant promise made in Jeremiah 31. As recipients of the covenant promise, faith requires a response—faith that doesn’t demand anything of us isn’t faith at all. A great confusion in our Christian culture is that faith has no obligation, yet, that is not what we see in Scripture.

So, what does our faith response look like? Romans 10:9–10 spell it out. Jesus said in Luke 6:45, “Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” New Testament faith is total surrender to Jesus’ lordship in our lives evidenced by calling out to Him for salvation. Lordship means He is the big boss—He says “jump,” we say, “how high?” He wants the best for us; he is the best for us; so He wants us to want Him for our good and His glory.

Every verse of Romans 5 could be someone’s favorite verse in the whole Bible. What is your favorite verse and why?

By: Tyler Short