Bible, Blood, Gifts, Promises, Salvation, Scripture

SAVED FROM WRATH

ROMANS 5:9

“Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.”

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow’r?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Refrain:
Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless?
Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

I bet you know that old hymn written back in 1878. That’s what Paul is saying to us today in verse 9 of Romans 5. It is only because of the blood shed by God’s Son, Jesus, that we have been justified and saved from His wrath. You see, our sins demanded death from us. We were doomed to an eternal sentence of the fires of hell. But…Christ came and died for us, satisfying the wrath of God towards our sins. Isn’t that the best news ever?

APPLICATION

Because God paid such a high price for our salvation (the gift of His only Son), He values us. We are precious to Him. He cares for us. If I bought an expensive gun, do you think I would take care of it? You had better believe it. I would regularly clean and inspect it. I would be so careful when I used it to make sure I didn’t scratch or harm it. As much as I might do all those things for a gun, can you imagine how much God will take care of you who were paid for by the blood of His Son?

God’s wrath sounds horrible, doesn’t it? HELPS Word-studies gives us a good picture of this Greek word. “[‘Orgē comes from the verb oragō meaning, “to teem, to swell”; and thus implies that it is not a sudden outburst, but rather (referring to God’s) fixed, controlled, passionate feeling against sin – a settled indignation (so Hendriksen)’ (D. E. Hiebert, at 1 Thes 1:10).]” God cannot stomach sin. He will not tolerate it.

My wife and I like to watch a reality police show. It’s a live three hour show that follows several law enforcement departments during a three hour period of their night shift. I am amazed each time I see the officers letting people go after catching them with drugs. They are guilty, but they don’t charge them. Similarly, we are guilty. We have been caught red-handed in our sins, but because of Jesus’ blood, we have been declared justified (if we have accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord). Can you give God praise today for that gift?

Father, I am not worthy of the forgiveness You show me, but I am thankful.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Christ, Demonstration, Love, Sacrifice, Scripture

A DEMONSTRATION

ROMANS 5:8

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

I can remember going to county fairs or other festivals and watching artisans demonstrate their craft. Some were making candles. Others were doing woodworking. My favorite is watching people cook. It could be fudge or taffy, kettle corn or funnel cakes. Every one of those people were demonstrating their skills which had been honed over many hours.

God also demonstrated something to us, but it wasn’t at a county fair or festival. Long ago on Mt. Calvary, He demonstrated His love for us by delivering up His only Son to die for us so that we might be justified and live with Him forever. All we have to do is accept the gift. The Greek word translated “demonstrates” is sunistémi or sunistanó. I love what the Topical Lexicon says about this word. “God’s attributes are not abstractions; they are verified in history and in the gospel. Because the verb is perfect tense in both verses (Romans 3:5, 5:8), the proof stands completed and enduring—unchangeable evidence for every generation.” God’s demonstration of His love is enduring!

APPLICATION

This Greek word takes another meaning in Colossians 1:17. “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” But even in this usage, we see God’s enduring character. He has always held everything together. God isn’t juggling the universe hoping everything will fall into place. NO! He has placed everything in its proper place and holds it together. No matter what science may try to say to you, we know the true Creator.

There is another way sunistanó is used in Scripture. It is used to prove ourselves in our ministry. In 2 Corinthians 4:2 we read, “but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in trickery nor distorting the word of God, but by the open proclamation of the truth commending ourselves to every person’s conscience in the sight of God.” “Commending” is our word there. We have to demonstrate to the world by our actions and behaviors that we are one with Christ.

What are you demonstrating today? Does your lifestyle demonstrate one who is following Jesus? Do your words reflect the Lord? Just as God demonstrated His faithfulness to us, we too need to demonstrate our faithfulness to Him. We should look different, sound different and act different than the world. Put on your own demonstration today.

Lord God, help me demonstrate Your love to a lost and dying world around me.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Christ, Death, Life, Sacrifice, Scripture

WHO WOULD DIE FOR?

ROMANS 5:7

“For one will hardly die for a righteous person; though perhaps for the good person someone would even dare to die.”

I would not hesitate to give my life to protect my family – any of them. I love them that much. I even have some friends who I would die for. I pray I never have to make that choice, but if I do, I pray that I would not blink an eye. After all, death for a believer is just a portal into an eternal life with Christ. I am not in a hurry to die, but I am also ready to go whenever.

Paul isn’t trying to paint a morbid picture of death. He is setting up a thought which we will see in tomorrow’s verse. He does give us something to think about, though, in today’s verse. Would you die for “righteous person” or a “good person”? Albert Barnes says it well. “It is an unusual occurrence, an event which is all that we can hope for from the highest human benevolence and the purest friendship, that one would be willing to die for a good man. There are none who would be willing to die for a man who was seeking to do us injury, to calumniate our character, to destroy our happiness or our property. But Christ was willing to die for bitter foes.”

APPLICATION

It is important to explain what Paul meant by “righteous person.” He was not referring to someone made righteous through Christ, but rather one who is righteous in his own eyes. They may be moral outwardly and do what is “expected.”. Perhaps Paul was thinking about the Pharisees he used to be a part of. They seemed righteous on the outside, but inwardly they were just rule keepers.

“A good man” referred to someone who as Gill describes as “a liberal and beneficent man, who was very bountiful in his charitable distributions to the poor, and very liberal in contributing towards the charge of sacrifices, repairs of the temple, &c. and did more this way than what the law obliged to.” Paul says by chance someone might die for that man.

The whole point of this verse will be revealed in the next verse (which we will see tomorrow). Laying down our life for someone is a big decision. Some people are easier than others to die for. Let me ask you – who would you die for? If giving your life for a perfect stranger meant that person coming to Christ, would you do it? Christ did!

Lord, I lay down my life for You. Take it and use it however You think best.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Helplessness, Jesus, Scripture, Strength, Sufficiency, Weakness

HELPLESS

ROMANS 5:6

“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”

Nothing is more depressing than to be helpless to change a situation that you desire so deeply to see changed. Without going into any detail, my wife and I are in that situation. We have been dealing with something for quite a while now that we are powerless to change. It’s out of our control. Now, we could choose to wallow in our self-pity and get mad or depressed. We have chosen (even though it is very hard) to lay it down at the feet of Jesus and let Him handle it. After all, whatever is over our head is under His feet.

The word Paul uses here translated as “helpless” is asthenés which comes “from a ‘without’ and sthenos, ‘vigor, strength’ – properly, without vigor, living in a state of weakness (depletion).” (HELPS Word-studies). Paul, knowing the futility of the law or the futility of the Gentiles’ gods, says we were all helpless, devoid of the ability to save ourselves. We need a Savior.

APPLICATION

I love the fact that God takes us in our weakness, saves us and then uses us. Look at 1 Corinthians 1:27, “but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,” Isn’t that awesome? You see, it’s not about our strength or our ability. You’ve heard it said, “God doesn’t want our ability. He wants our availability.”

Not only does Christ take our weakness, our inability to save ourselves, but He also commands us to help others who are weak. Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:14, “We urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” As we know the strength of Christ in our own lives, we are to be quick to pass that along to others who are weak and helpless.

My wife and I are expecting our sixth grandchild in a few weeks. She will be born a helpless baby, totally dependent on her parents to feed, clean and protect. She won’t be able to walk for many months. She won’t feed herself for a long time. But as her parents and her grandparents care for her in her weakness, she will be getting stronger. Christ takes us in our spiritual infancy and strengthens us. He does not judge our immaturity. He builds on it. Today thank the Lord for your weakness which necessitates His strength.

Lord, I give You praise that in my weakness, You are my strength.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Affection, Bible, Holy Spirit, Love, Poured Out, Scripture

POURED OUT

ROMANS 5:5

“and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

It’s easy to pour out your love on someone who loves you back, isn’t it? For instance, our grandson is one of the most affectionate little ones I have ever known. He loves to give hugs and kisses. We have so many pictures and videos of him expressing his love to his mama or Nana. He even gives me hugs and kisses, especially after a morning walk or when we are snuggling watching some car videos.

Why am I talking about my grandson? Well, duh, he’s my grandson. Lol. No, the reason is as much as I pour my love into my grandson, it does not come close in comparison to how much the Lord pours His love into us. Paul says it so well in today’s verse. Reread the verse again – “the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” You won’t find many other words in Scripture that give as much hope as that.

APPLICATION

The verb used here for “has been poured out” is ekcheo. Strong’s defines it as “gush forth, pout out, shed, spill.” This is the same word used in Matthew 26:28 when Jesus said, “‘for this is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.’” The verb in today’s verse is in the Perfect tense which means it happened in the past but has lasting results. That’s important. God’s love was poured out on us and has continued and will continue through the power of the Holy Spirit within us.

One of my favorite uses of ekcheo is found in Titus 3:6. Look at 3:5-7 to get the full picture. “5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Well, Glory!

The next time you shower your loved one (spouse, child, grandchild) with affection, think about how the Lord is showering you with His love. He will never stop loving you. He will never stop surrounding you with His presence. His Holy Spirit indwells you, if you are a follower of Christ. Enjoy His embraces.

O Lord, I love to feel Your presence in my life through the power of Your Spirit. Thank You for pouring Yourself into me.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Character, Perseverance, Proven, Scripture, Trials, Tribulations

THE REST OF THE STORY

ROMANS 5:4

“and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;”

Have you ever read a good book and stopped short of the finish? Why would you do that? Why not see how it ends? I love to read, but I don’t do it enough. I have a couple of favorite Christian fiction authors that keep me riveted. I could read their stuff all the time. When I finish their latest book, I am looking forward to the next one. But I have never stopped short of the finish.

Today’s verse gives us the next part of the story that Paul began way back in 5:1. Yesterday’s verse was kind of the cliffhanger. He told us to celebrate tribulations because it brings perseverance. Today Paul goes further into proven character and then right back to hope. The Greek word dokimé is translated as “proven character” here. It can mean proof, ordeal, proven worth or test also. The word implies character that is built through testing. That’s what God does in our lives.

APPLICATION

We see dokimé used in 2 Corinthians 8:2. Let’s back up to 8:1 to get the context (that’s always important). “1 Now, brothers and sisters, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.” Here dokimé is translated “ordeal.” But look what it produced – abundance of joy and wealth of liberality.

In Philippians 2:22 Paul uses dokimé to describe Timothy whom he was sending to the church there. Paul says that Timothy had proven himself loyal to the gospel by serving alongside him on those arduous missionary journeys. Surely, Timothy suffered with Paul. Surely, Timothy was in great danger many times himself.

Are you proven? Have you gone through the fires of trials in your life and come out on the other side proven by God. I can tell you there is no feeling like it. Coming out of a hard time knowing that it was Jesus Who carried you through is lifechanging. He hardens you to other trials you face. He prepares you through adversity to face life’s challenges. Yes, there is more to the story in each of our lives. How will you choose to face them?

Lord God, You are always faithful to see me through the hard times through which you prepare me for my future journeys.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Hope, Rejoicing, Scripture, Trials, Tribulations

ARE YOU SUFFERING?

ROMANS 5:3

“And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;”

If you ever hear someone say they celebrate tribulations, you will probably call someone to pick them up for a psych evaluation. We just don’t think that way, especially when we are in the midst of a hard time. We complain, whine and bellyache to anyone who will listen. We could be singing that old Hee Haw song, “Doom, Despair and Agony on me.”

So, when Paul writes that we should rejoice (same word used in 5:2) in tribulations just like we rejoice in hope, that sounds kind of crazy. Who in their right mind celebrates the hard times? Remember who is writing this. Paul had seen his fair share of hard times, hadn’t he? I want to share Paul’s list of sufferings for you to understand that he knew what he was talking about. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 Paul says, “23 Are they servants of Christ?—I am speaking as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. 24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent adrift at sea. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.”

APPLICATION

How does your hard times compare to that? And through all that Paul can still write “celebrate in our tribulations.” That Greek word translated “tribulations” could be translated “between a rock and a hard place.” It’s the Greek word thlipsis. Often when you go through these hard times you feel there is no escape. You begin to lose hope. But Paul says to celebrate them the same way you celebrate hope.

I’ve been through some hard times in my life, emotionally and physically. I have learned that you have to choose to rejoice in them only because you believe in the end result. As Paul says, they “bring about perseverance.” Isn’t that a good thing? We all want to persevere, but we don’t want to go through the stuff that builds it.

We will see in tomorrow’s verse that Paul will come back full circle to hope. Let me encourage you to go ahead and take a look at 5:4. I don’t want to leave you hanging here on tribulations. They have their purpose. Otherwise, God would not allow His children to go through them. See you tomorrow.

Father, I praise You for the trials that come my way that build perseverance into me.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Access, Bible, Faith, Grace, Jesus, Justification, Scripture

FULL ACCESS

ROMANS 5:2

“through whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we celebrate in hope of the glory of God.”

I have stayed in a few Airbnb rentals and have for the most part thoroughly enjoyed them. It so different than staying in a hotel. Sure, you don’t have housekeeping dropping by to make your bed or freshen your towels, but you have a lot more room and privacy. But to get in that Airbnb you have to have either a key or a code. Without that, you will not reap the benefits of your reservation.

Paul tells us we have access to our eternal home in today’s verse. The word translated “introduction” is prosagōgḗ which comes “from prós, ‘with, towards’ and ágō, ‘come’ – properly, come towards (near); have access (approach), with intimate (face-to-face) interaction (note the prefix pros). All three occasions of prosagōgḗ (‘interactive access’) refer to ‘having audience (direct access) with God’ (J. B. Lightfoot, MM).” (HELPS Word-studies)

APPLICATION

Prosagōgḗ is only used two other times, both in Ephesians, where it is translated “access.” Personally, I like that translation better. In Ephesians 2:18 Paul writes, “for through Him (speaking of Jesus) we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.” Christ called Himself the door, didn’t He? He opens the door for us to come to the Father. He is the only door to Him. There is no back or side entrance.

We see prosagōgḗ used again in Ephesians 3:12, “in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.” Did you catch that? Paul writes “confident access.” We can approach the throne boldly because of our justification through Jesus. That is worthy of a shout of praise, isn’t it?

We have access by faith into grace. We have access to the Father because of Jesus. And we have confident access through faith in Him. So, why do we tiptoe around acting so unsure of our salvation. You have been given the key. You have the code to unlock the access. You can enter into the place that Jesus has secured for you. It is so much better than an Airbnb. It will never be closed to you. Hallelujah!

Father, I thank You for the access I have to my eternal home through Jesus Christ by Savior and Lord.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Justification, Justified, Peace, Scripture

PEACE WITH GOD

ROMANS 5:1

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”

You hear a lot about peace today in regard to peace between nations or other groups. Peace in the Mid East is always in the news. Peace between Ukraine and Russia has been prayed for by many. Peace deals are made and broken all the time. It is very hard for men to live in peace with each other. The slightest thing can bring an end to decades of peace. When will it all end?

Even though we may never have true peace on earth, we are promised “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” What a promise. But that peace hinges on what Paul wrote about in the previous verse (4:25) – our justification. In fact, Paul starts out today’s verse saying the same thing. He says, “having been justified.” That’s an Aorist Participle Passive. Thank you, Carl, that really blessed my heart. Now, hang on. You need to understand the Aorist tense. It is an action that is completed in the past completely without any focus on how long it will last. In other words, it’s one and done! Praise the Lord.

APPLICATION

The other verb in today’s verse is the simple Greek word for “have.” The importance of this verb is that it is in the Present Indicative Active. Present tense means it is ongoing. So do you get the picture here? We were justified through the blood of Jesus when we accepted Him as our Savior and Lord. Because of that completed action, we now have lasting peace with the Father. How much better can this get?

I can’t help but think about that song that says, “I’ve got peace like a river. I’ve got peace like a river. I’ve got peace like a river in my soul…” Let me ask you this morning if you have that peace. If you decided to place your trust in Jesus and follow Him, He has given you that peace. Do not let anyone or anything rob you of that peace that is eternally yours. Nothing can take that away from you. It’s His promise to you, and we know He does not break His promises.

One more thing! Notice Paul wrote “peace with God.” Paul knew that when you have that you also have the peace of God. What’s the difference? Peace with God, as I said, is done by the justification of our sins through Jesus. Peace of God is what you receive in your heart and soul as a result of that. Jesus told us, “Peace I give to you.” We have the peace of God when we receive peace with God. They are intertwined. Just rest in it.

Father, You are the One Who give us peace through Your Son Jesus. I will enjoy that peace.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Eternal Life, Justified, Raised, Resurrection, Scripture

FINISHED WORK

ROMANS 4:25

“He who was delivered over because of our wrongdoings, and was raised because of our justification.”

My dad always taught me to finish the job completely. My first lesson in that was mowing the grass. He said the yard wasn’t complete until all the pinecones were picked up and the trim work was done (this was before we had weed eaters). He also taught me that a car wasn’t cleaned completely until the tires were clean. He compared that to wearing a nice suit but dirty shoes. He was all about getting the job finished well.

Jesus finished His job completely. Paul states as such in today’s verse. He wasn’t just “delivered over” for our sins. He was also “raised because of our justification.” His resurrection finished the job. His shed blood paid the price for our sins, and His resurrection gave us the promise of eternal life. What a complete work that was and still is.

APPLICATION

The verb used here for “delivered over” is paradidómi. In Matthew 10:4 it is used to describe Judas Iscariot. “Judas Iscariot, the one who also betrayed Him.” The Topical Lexicon says this about this word. “Whether used of a traitor, a judge, an apostle, or God Himself, the word always carries the sober idea that what is ‘delivered up’ passes irrevocably into another’s control.” What does that say about God’s actions described in today’s verse? God did not betray Jesus. He willingly gave Him up to death to satisfy His own wrath on mankind.

But God always has a plan, a perfect plan. He also raised Jesus up. The verb used for “raised” is egeiró which Strong’s defines as “to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e. Rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from obscurity, inactivity, ruins, nonexistence) — awake, lift (up), raise (again, up), rear up, (a-)rise (again, up), stand, take up.”

Now, to be clear, Jesus didn’t just go to sleep on that cross. He died. He gave up this life on earth only to be raised by His Father to defeat death and the grave. As followers of Christ, we too will defeat death and the grave. How? Through our justification in Christ! We give up this life on earth and pass directly to a better life with Christ eternally. Thank You, Lord!

I give You praise for all You have done in and through Your Son, Jesus.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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