INTRODUCTION:
We are entering a new section of Romans (chapters 5-8). The theme of this section is our experience of the gospel. We’ll see in this section that believers continue to be impacted by the gospel after their salvation.
As a side note, for many chapters 5-8, or portions of them, are their favorite parts of the book of Romans.
Paul begins with a rapid fire listing of nine immediate blessings of salvation, nine thigs we experience in addition to forgiveness of our sins when we put out faith in Jesus as our Savior.
These are immediate blessings. Other blessings of salvation can take time to develop or work out in our life. We’ll some of that in chapters 6 and 8., but here, the blessings are immediate for all believers.
There are nine such blessings enumerated here:
I. We have a new to God (1): , 1
Peace can have two meanings:
peace – the end of hostility or conflict
peace – inner tranquility and sense of well-being.
The peace Paul is referring to is external peace – the end of our hostility with God by the wiping away of our sins by the blood of Christ.
We were once at war with God, but that war was brought to an end when we were justified, declared not guilty, by faith.
What does it feel like to have peace with God?
II. We have a new : in , 2
Formerly we were standing under wrath, awaiting judgment. Now we are standing in grace, enjoying God’s undeserved blessings.
This was brought about by Jesus, and came to be ours (was accessed) through faith in him.
To stand in grace is to stand where God can continue to be gracious to us. This is the Christian life, a life experiencing the continuing grace of God..
Note that we don’t just experience grace, we stand in it.
What does standing in grace mean to you?
How does the fact that we stand in grace make a difference to you?
III. We have a new : the hope of the , 2
One of the great characteristics of the Christian life is hope.
Paul refers to a specific hope that the Christian has. What is it?
The hope of the .
What does this mean?
The phrase “the glory of God” can mean either:
The glory God – thus Paul is referring to the hope of one day sharing in that glory
The glory God – Paul, then, is referring to being restored to the glory all human beings had before the fall.
It is difficult to decide which of these Paul means, or whether he intends us to see both ideas here. The important thing is to know that we have a hope tied up with the glory of God. That’s going to be good one way or the other.
How has your hope changed since you were saved?
Does having hope for the future mean something to you? If so, what?
IV. We have a new to suffering: and , 3-4
What is the normal response to suffering?
How does Paul say we now respond to suffering?
Why can we respond this way? What has brought about the change?
How can we be sure that we actually do respond to suffering with joy?
V. We have a new filling our hearts: , 5a
What is it that has filled our hearts since we were saved?
Answer:
This is agape’ love, the kind of love God has.
This love is
, and
How much of God’s love do we have?
Not a trickle. It was into our hearts. There is enough for any occasion when we are called to love others.
Have you noticed a change in who you love or how much you love since you were saved? Explain.
VI. We have a new living inside us: , 5b
The Holy Spirit it the one who poured God’s love out into our hearts
Paul says that the Holy Spirit has been to us. This refers to the (or the dwelling in us) of the Holy Spirit. He comes to live in each of us the moment we put our faith in Jesus to save us. We don’t have to wait for him, pray for him, or go through some ritual to get him. He has already been given to us.
Recall Jesus’ promise:
John 14:15–17 (ESV)
How have you experienced the Holy Spirit’s living in you?
VII. We have a new : God , 6-8
How do we know this?
Because of what did for us:
What did he do? He .
Not only did he die for us, but he died for us when we were of such a sacrifice. We were and still .
This shows the depth of God’s love for us.
What does being certain that God loves you do for you?
VIII. We have a new : no to come, 9-10
Notice that Paul uses the phrase “much more” to show how one thing is greater or more certain than another.
First, he says that since we have already been justified through Jesus, then we can be absolutely sure that we will be saved from wrath by him. If he can do the one, he can much more do the other.
Then he says that since God reconciled us to himself by his Son’s death, how much more will Jesus’ life now save us.
Remember what we deserved: the , Romans 1:18-3:20.
But now we are from the wrath of God. We will never, ever, face his wrath. We have been justified (declared not guilty) through the blood of Jesus and he can now much more save us from the wrath of God.
How does knowing you will never have to face the wrath of God make you feel?
Does knowing you will never face God’s wrath change how you approach God? If so, how?
IX. We have a new to God (2): , 10-11
In verse one we learned that one part of a new relationship with God consists of being at peace with Him.
Now Paul says that another part of that new relationship is that we have been to God.
What does this word mean?
Restored to a or to .
The idea is that something had come between us and God. Something stood between us. We were not at harmony, nor did we have a friendly relationship. We were enemies.
What was the something between us? . Paul says Jesus reconciled us to God when we were God’s . That is, we believed.
Paul also says that we the reconciliation. That is, it wasn’t something that brought about. It was part of what was accomplished by Jesus in his death. He removed the sin that stood between us and God. Because of that we could be brought back into a friendly relationship with God. When we believed we received this reconciliation. We are now in a friendly, harmonious relationship with God.
How did your relationship with God change when you were saved?
How do you sense that you are reconciled to God?
CONCLUSION
Take a moment to review the nine immediate blessings of salvation:
- We have a new relationship to God (1): peace, 1
- We have a new standing: in grace, 2
- We have a new expectation: the hope of the glory of God, 2
- We have a new response to suffering: joy and hope, 3-4
- We have a new emotion filling our hearts: love, 5a
- We have a new person living inside us: the Holy Spirit, 5b
- We have a new certainty: God loves us, 6-8
- We have a new future: no wrath to come, 9-10
- We have a new relationship to God (2): reconciled, 10-11
Your simple decision to put your faith in Jesus and receive the gift of eternal life had produced abundant results.
Are these blessings yours yet?