10 Dec We Are Worse Than We Fear, and More Loved Than We Hoped
Romans 5:6-11 – For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if 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. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
If you spend any amount of time with Christians, you will probably hear the word “saved” used at some point.
What exactly does that mean?
Why do we need to be saved?
What are we saved from?
Who are we saved by?
What are we saved to?
Paul answers all of these questions in Romans 5:6-11. Since this section of Scripture was written, it has been one of the most loved and repeated summaries of the Christian faith:
- Who were you before meeting Jesus?
While our world likes to talk a lot about how good people are, Paul could not be more contrary saying people are by nature and choice, “ungodly”, “sinners”, objects of “wrath”, “enemies” of God. This is where our relationship with God starts, but thankfully not where He stops.
- How were you saved by Jesus?
Unlike other religions that tell people what to do for God, Christianity starts by telling people what Jesus has done for them. When Paul tells us that “Christ died”, and we are “saved by Him” he is comforting us. If God was for us when we were His enemies, how much more will He be for us when we are His friends? If God did not give up on us when we were at war with Him, how much more will He not give up on us now that we are at peace with Him?
- Who are you now with Jesus?
The good news of Jesus Christ is that not only are we worse than we feared, but we are also more loved than we hoped. This is what Paul means in saying that we were “justified”, and “saved”, by God’s “love”.
Consider these questions for a moment in light of Jesus dying to love and save you.
Who loves you so much they would die for you?
Who do you love so much you would die for them?
To find the free Romans study guide for individuals and small groups, hear Pastor Mark’s entire sermon series on Romans, or find a free mountain of Bible teaching visit legacy.realfaith.com or download the Real Faith app.
