ISSL Reflections July 25 2021 Romans 5:1-11 Post 2

IV.
This week’s reading has some phrases that are probably familiar to many church-goers, especially those often called “evangelical.”

For instance – “we are justified by faith” – “while we still were sinners Christ died for us” – And we dare not leave out “we have been justified by his blood.”

What about the phrase – “much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.”

Hold onto that phrase, “saved by his life” as you read this passage. Maybe it can be a lens through which you approach this passage.

V.
Romans 5:1-11

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

VI.
Some of the sermons I have heard over the years suggest (either implicitly or explicitly) that Jesus was born to die on the cross. As it were a “theology of the death of Christ” with little attention to Jesus’ life, ministry and teachings. Maybe I had too “sheltered” an upbringing?

VII.
Take some time and consider “saved by his life.”

As you consider that phrase, think about the Gospel accounts of the life, ministry and teachings/parables of Jesus.

What do you recall from the life, ministry and teachings/parables of Jesus that make real to you Jesus’ bringing life, healing, health and wholeness to your life?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}


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