November 13, 2020

The epistle to the Romans was written by the apostle Paul to the church in the capital city of Rome.  The date of the letter was most likely around 56 A.D., near the end of Paul’s third missionary journey, while he was in Corinth. Paul had wanted to visit the believers in Rome for some time, however, he had not yet had the chance to do so. The letter afforded Paul the opportunity to introduce himself to the church, and to instruct them in essential truths of the gospel.

The church in Rome was probably founded by those who had come to faith in Christ on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem.  Unlike many of the other churches that Paul wrote to, his aim was not primarily to correct wrong theology or sinful living on the part of the Roman Christians, but to further instruct the church in doctrinal truths and practical living in light of those truths.

The principal theme of Paul’s letter to the Romans is that God justifies guilty, helpless sinners by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. He dispels any notion that heaven and a relationship with God can be achieved through good works. Generally, the first eleven chapters of Romans are primarily theological while chapters 12-16 are more about practical Christian living and life in the church.

While the letter does contain some challenging passages that believers have debated, Paul addresses issues such as man’s sin and God’s wrath, justification by faith alone, the security of the believer’s salvation, sanctification, God’s sovereignty, God’s plan for Israel, the purpose of governing authorities, Christian living, and the proper use of one’s liberty in Christ.

It was while studying and teaching the book of Romans that a German Catholic priest, in the early 1500’s, came to understand Romans 1:17 in a brand new light. The words, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith’” led him to understand justification was by faith alone and not by works. God would so impact Martin Luther with these words that he became a seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation.

Romans 5

Peace with God Through Faith

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 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. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Death in Adam, Life in Christ

12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.

15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Reflection:

  • In addition to justification by faith in Jesus Christ, what else do we have (v. 1)?
  • In Colossians 1:21-22, Paul says, “And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.” Before you came to faith in Jesus Christ, you were an enemy of God’s. What are your thoughts about the peace you now have with God (v. 2)?
  • According to Paul, is there anything positive about suffering (v. 3)? Can you see any good that has come out of times when you have suffered but continued to have faith in God?
  • Does God wait until we get our lives straightened out or become better people before he offers us grace, mercy, and forgiveness (vv. 6-8).
  • When was the last time you thanked God for sparing you from his wrath against all ungodliness? Paul is explaining the terrible place human beings find ourselves apart from God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
  • How significant was Adam’s sin (v. 18)?
  • How significant and far reaching was Jesus’ obedience and death on the cross (v. 19)?
  • Write a short paragraph summarizing what you have read in Romans 5, and its significance in your life.

Prayer: I give thanks to you Lord, for you are good, and your steadfast love endures forever. I give thanks to you the God of gods, for your steadfast love endures forever (Psalm 136:1-2). I was once your enemy but now I have peace in you because while I was yet a sinner, you died for me and offered me forgiveness, salvation, and hope! Blessed be the name of the Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

10 thoughts on “Daily Devotional-November 13th”

  1. Dear Heavenly Father,
    Through my struggles and heartaches I have had to lean on You more and more. You have shown me that ,through it all, I am still standing with You holding me up. Thank you for your forgiveness of my sins and your steadfast love , help and grace that surpasses all understanding. I will praise your holy name forever. Amen.

    1. Gracias padre amado mi Dios del cielo y de la tierra gracias por tu amor gracias porque eres un Dios grande omnipotente y misericordioso Gracias porque diste a tu hijo a morir en la cruz del calvario por nuestros pescados gracias mi Dios porque no estamos solos tú no abandonas a tus hijos nos fortaleces y nos guías con tu espíritu a través de tu palabra que es viva y edifica gracias por hoy gracias por ayer y gracias por el mañana gracias por la vida eterna en nombre y por amor de tu hijo amado amén y amén ?

    2. AMEN AND HALLELUJUH!!!! LORD, Help me to stand in your peace. Show me how to rely on your love and your love. Please keep in your thoughts.

  2. Yes Lord through our sufferings and trials You have shone me how deep how wide and how high You steadfast love is. And how enduring it is. I praise You Lord Jesus. Though I am a sinner You died for me. And You beat death for me. You have given me salvation! What more do I need. Thank you. Thank you. Jesus.

  3. Father,

    There are times I do not know what you are doing in my life. Nonetheless, LORD, I surrender.

    There are times I do not want to walk the path you have assigned. Nonetheless, LORD, I will walk it in your strength.

    There are times I do not understand how you are using me. Nonetheless, LORD, here I am.

    Today, I will be an obedient servant for the cause of Christ.

    Amen

  4. God has a plan for every life, and He will direct and lead us in the fulfillment of His plan. In everything I do, Your will must be uppermost in my life, Lord. I, as Your child, trust You to lead me.

  5. Thank you for reminding me that my suffering leads to character which leads to hope. That hope, dear Lord, is what has sustained my faith and growth from a baby. Thank you for my dear Aunt praying over my crib that you would give hope to me and my dad as he buried my birth mom. Thank you for guiding me by placing Godly people on my path to take that hope and help me grow into a woman of character. Thank you for the adoption papers you gave me from my mom and ultimately my Savior Jesus. Thank you for the day she was baptized with me in the country Baptist church. I praise you for blessing me with a heritage of sacrifice, love, and hope. May my every heartbeat give you the praise and glory for your provision, love, and hope of salvation!

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