Romans 5 is an incredible chapter because it so beautifully showcases the grace of God. Let’s look at a few verses from the chapter.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Where would we be without Jesus Christ? We had no shot at a relationship with God. Our righteousnesses are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). There was no amount of our “good outweighing our bad”. No amount of trying to be good enough. Our only chance at a restored relationship with the father was through the vicarious atonement of Jesus! One song puts it this way:
I was a wretch
I remember who I was
I was lost, I was blind
I was running out of time
Sin separated
The breach was far too wide
But from the far side of the chasm
You held me in your sight
So You made a way
Across the great divide
Left behind Heaven’s throne
To build it here inside
And there at the cross
You paid the debt I owed
Broke my chains, freed my soul
For the first time I had hope
Thank you Jesus for the blood applied
Thank you Jesus, it has washed me white
Thank you Jesus, You have saved my life
Brought me from the darkness into glorious light
Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhU-Omwg2rU
Romans 5:6-8
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Continuing the thought, without Christ, our identity before God is as follows:
- Without strength (we have no leg to stand on morally before a righteous and just God.)
- Ungodly
- Sinners
- Enemies (v. 10)
Think for a moment who you would be willing to lay your down for? If you’re married or have children, your wife and kids would likely be on the top of the list. You might be willing to add others to the list as well. But we’d all likely agree that rapists, serial killers, genocidal dictators,
etc. would be nowhere on that list for us. Yet God loved even those people. Christ died for the most ungodly sinner we could imagine. God was willing to showcase His love in such a way that salvation would be accessible to even the most vile of persons; and if we’re honest, we’re just as in need of the Savior as anyone else. Verse 20 seems to sum the matter up, “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound”. God’s grace is greater than our sin. So what should our response be?
Romans 6:1-2
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Let’s not abuse the grace of God and tarnish its beauty by continuing to live a sinful lifestyle. Christ didn’t die so that we could get away with more sin! Instead, let your life be a showcase of God’s grace.