Studies in Romans

Presentation 11

Summary of ContentsOPENING REMARKS: 1:1-17BAD NEWS: Universality of sin and its condemnation 1:18 - 3:20GOOD NEWS : A gospel that changes our relationship to God 3:21- 5:21HOW TO GROW AS A CHRISTIAN : 6:1- 8-39

Sanctification 6:1-23The Place of the Law 7:1-25Life in the Spirit 8:1-39

A SHORT DETOUR : Questions concerning Israel 9:1-11:36HOW A CHRISTIAN OUGHT TO LIVE : 12:1-15:13 In our various relationships 12:1-13:14 Dealing with the ‘weak’ and the ‘strong’ 14:1-15:13PAUL’S GENTILE MINISTRY, POLICY AND PLANS : 15:14-33GREETINGS AND CLOSING DOXOLOGY : 16:1-27

Presentation 11

Studies in RomansThe Practical Benefits of

Justification Part 1Chap 5v1-11

Presentation 11

In chapter 5 the scene changes but the opening, 'Therefore', reminds us that the subject has not changed. We are still dealing with justification. Paul is concerned now with the fruit of justification. The apostle begins to explain in some detail the practical benefits that flow fromthis doctrine.

A Gospel that Changes… 3:21ff The Practical Benefits of Justification: 5v1-11Introduction

Presentation 11

The biblical meaning of ‘peace’ is far richer than our use of the term today. When people speak of peace often all they mean is that there is and absence of hostilities – the bullets have stopped flying! What do the biblical terms suggest? The Hebrew word for peace, 'shalom', carries the idea of ‘wholeness’ and ‘harmony’ while the Greek word ‘eirene’ implies the ‘healthy restoration of broken relationships’.

A Gospel that Changes… 3:21ff The Practical Benefits of Justification: 5v1-111. Peace.

Presentation 11

God’s peace is not the same as a trouble-free life. The picture is one of calm in the midst of a violent storm, a deep seated assurance that we are safe. An important implication of peace with God is that for the first time, the Christian can face the horror of his past and answer the voice of an accusing conscience. The justified man experiences Inward peace of mind and heart because of the establishment of outward peace upon the cross. This is precisely the sequence of the apostle's thought. In 3.21-26 he dealt with the manner by which this peace was established [on the cross] . Now in chap 5 he begins to speak of our experience of peace within.

A Gospel that Changes… 3:21ff The Practical Benefits of Justification: 5v1-111. Peace.

Presentation 11

‘All true peace within arises from the sight of peace made without’.Believers are often agitated because they do not feel a sense of peace with God. But feelings fluctuate. After W.W.II many Japanese soldiers found it difficult to accept that the war was over. They did not feel at peace. They needed to be shown a copy of the peace treaty to convince them that hostilities were at an end.

The cross is God's peace treaty. When we fix our eyes upon that, and its significance for us, then we have peace within.

A Gospel that Changes… 3:21ff The Practical Benefits of Justification: 5v1-111. Peace.

Presentation 11

When people ask, 'What is my status in this company?', they want to know where they stand. When a believer asks, ‘Where do I stand in relation to God?’ Paul answers, ‘In a realm of grace’. The believer lives his whole life in this realm. Unlike the business world our standing with God is not performance-related. It is grace-related. In business if you fail to meet target figures you are discharged. The realm of grace is much more secure. We enter by faith and our sin and failure does not cause God to dismiss us.

A Gospel that Changes… 3:21ff The Practical Benefits of Justification: 5v1-112. Access: “by faith into this grace by which we now stand”.

Presentation 11

Only the hand of faith can receive what grace provides. To forget this is to fall into legalism. Illustration: A Christian who has witnessed well for Christ and resisted serious temptation may feel very virtuous. He thinks that because he has had a ‘good day’ he will find it easier to come before God in prayer. Is he right? No! because he bases acceptance with God on his performance and not on Christ’s. Minute by minute, and throughout all eternity, the acceptance of the child of God rests in Christ alone. As we hold onto that by faith the Holy Spirit takes us by the hand and draws us into the presence of God. Eph. 2.18

A Gospel that Changes… 3:21ff The Practical Benefits of Justification: 5v1-112. Access: “by faith into this grace by which we now stand”.

Presentation 11

The meaning of the word ‘hope’ is quite different from that of contemporary usage. When we say ‘we hope it will not rain’, we mean we are unsure of the weather. But in the N.T. the word ‘hope’ always refers to an assured expectation concerning the future. The term ‘glory of God’ describes the salvation in store for those who trust in Christ. Why does Paul use this expression? He points towards what he considers to be the most important aspect of salvation - communion with God. When Paul thought of heaven he thought of getting to know God better. Our thinking about heaven is deficient if it falls short of this.

A Gospel that Changes… 3:21ff The Practical Benefits of Justification: 5v1-113. Hope: “Rejoicing in the hope of sharing in the glory of God”.

Presentation 11

The word 'rejoicing' carries the idea of great excitement. Paul got really excited thinking about heaven. Greek philosophers in Paul’s day taught that life after death was a twilight existence, a world of shadows. Imagine an electricity cut and your home plunged into darkness. You exist, breathe, have a sense of touch, but you can barely see. Today many people think of heaven as a less than real world . The Bible teaches that heaven is more real and more substantial than this world. We presently live in an electricity-cut world [2Cor.4.18b]. Down here, to use Paul's expression, ‘we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face’. 1Cor.13.12

A Gospel that Changes… 3:21ff The Practical Benefits of Justification: 5v1-113. Hope: “Rejoicing in the hope of sharing in the glory of God”.

Presentation 11

An imaginary critic asks, "Are not these glorious blessings clearly contradicted by the Christian's experience of suffering?" Paul's answers, ‘I rejoice in suffering' cf v3-4 . Suffering, far from undermining the Christian hope, begins a process that reinforces it. See also [Acts 5.41, 16.25]

Paul is not saying, 'Pain is enjoyable'. The Christian should not seek suffering, but nevertheless, he should hold a positive attitude towards it. It is not a fence to keep us from glory, but as a ladder to assist us. Only as we see the enormity of God's plans can we rejoice in our suffering.

A Gospel that Changes… 3:21ff The Practical Benefits of Justification: 5v1-114. An imaginary Critic:

Presentation 11

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes to rebuild it. At first, perhaps you understand what he is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof... you knew those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But then he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts terribly. The explanation is that he is building a quite different house from the one you thought of; throwing up a wing here, putting up an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage; but he is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it himself.” C. S. Lewis

A Gospel that Changes… 3:21ff The Practical Benefits of Justification: 5v1-114. An imaginary Critic:

Presentation 11

The particular quality that suffering produces, and to which Paul draws our attention, is ‘patience’! The word translated ‘patience’ has a military background, and means to hold out against, and to resist the advance of hostile forces. How does suffering enable the Christian to persevere? First, it reminds him of his vulnerability and weakness and so enlarges his dependence upon God. Many Christians live their lives in pendulum swings: one moment they depend upon God and the next they are self-sufficient and depending upon themselves.

A Gospel that Changes… 3:21ff The Practical Benefits of Justification: 5v1-111. “Suffering produces perseverance”.

Presentation 11

Christians can be like the the farmer who, in years of peace, grows increasingly confident of his own ability to defend his fields. But one day the ground begins to shake with the vibration of an advancing army. Suddenly aware of his own vulnerability he runs into the king’s castle seeking his help and protection. Similarly, many Christians have an unreal estimation of their own ability. But once the tremors of suffering hit their lives they become aware of their weakness and are driven into the stronghold of God’s arms.

A Gospel that Changes… 3:21ff The Practical Benefits of Justification: 5v1-111. “Suffering produces perseverance”.

Presentation 11

Secondly, suffering contributes to perseverance by creating ‘increased stability and strength’ in the life of the Christian who is under trial. Behind the poise we admire in many Christians there is often a costly history of physical suffering, mental depression, bereavement or loneliness. Suffering is God’s reliable process, designed to fashion us into a weapon that will not snap in the heat of battle. A fine sword is produced by repeatedly heating the metal, beating it with a hammer and plunging it into cold water.

A Gospel that Changes… 3:21ff The Practical Benefits of Justification: 5v1-111. “Suffering produces perseverance”.

Presentation 11

Paul's chain of reasoning continues. Perseverance produces 'proven character', the Greek word mans ‘character that has been put to the test’. Two ideas are present.

First, as we persevere under trial, all that disguises our true identity is gradually removed. Cf. Zech 13.9 where God as the purifier of metals says, 'I will refine them [my people] like silver and test them like gold’.

The refining fire separates impurities from precious metals by causing them to rise to the surface of the crucible. Similarly, as we persevere in the crucible of affliction, alien qualities, disguising our true Christian identity are dislodged.

A Gospel that Changes… 3:21ff The Practical Benefits of Justification: 5v1-112. “Perseverance produces character”.

Presentation 11

Secondly, behind the expression 'proven character' lies authentication. Our response to affliction will indicate the genuineness of our Christian profession. If we trust God only when everything is going well, then something is wrong. Cf. Job 1.9 and v10 for God's reply. Job's response to affliction is found in 23.10 'When he has tested me, I shall come forth as gold’. Job is saying "By coming through this storm I shall prove myself to be God's man".

This sifting quality of suffering is seen in John 6.v66ff. Where the prospect of suffering cause the counterfeit disciples to leave Jesus, but it bound his genuine disciples to him.

A Gospel that Changes… 3:21ff The Practical Benefits of Justification: 5v1-112. “Perseverance produces character”.

Presentation 11