Adam and Christ--Peace in a Troubled World


Bible Study for November 11, 2017
SS Teacher: Larry Evans

Note to Reader:  
Romans 5 is a pivotal chapter in the book of Romans.  It takes us a step beyond justification by faith by revealing the results of such a faith. Paul is adamant that neither good works nor sinful works be allowed to depreciate God’s gift to us. We must never try to add to nor take away from the gift.

Introduction

The German philosopher/theologian, Johann Herder, wrote
“We cannot know ourselves without a reference point outside ourselves.”
In many ways, this thought provides an important restatement for much of what we’ve learned so far in Romans. Our study this week is based on Romans 5.  Leading up to this chapter, Paul has brought us to an understanding of two very important points:

  1. God counts our faith as righteousness.
  2. God does not count our sins against us.

Both points defy human reasoning. Both thoughts are made possible by God offering Himself in the person of Jesus. Without seeing what the problem is we will have a hard time understanding the solution. To say that the problem is “sin” is an understatement, a cliché.  Without grasping what God originally had in mind for us and Him, without seeing what has happened to our relationship with Him (Gen. 3:9) and our relationship with ogthers (Gen. 4:9), we will have a hard time grasping the “wrath of God”.

Up to now, Romans 1-4, Paul has placed a lot of emphasis on our faith and trust in the God’s gift rather than on our efforts or accomplishments. That’s because a trust relationship was broken in Eden. Justification, or our being accounted as “righteous,” comes by God’s intervention and our trust in the provision that He has made.  This, of course, raised concerns about the relationship of the law to our own salvation. Paul points out that the law, simply stated, serves its purpose by revealing the problem. It is not intended to be the solution. Evil is not overcome by doing more good. The law is a diagnostic tool provided by God. The 10 Commandments, for example, begins with who God is and what He had done (see the preamble and Genesis 1 & 2) and then outlines where we have fallen short. The problem, we shall see, came initially because of Adam’s sin.  The consequences are seen in the reality of death even before the law was explicitly given.  The problem is not something we can solve but there is a response that can bring peace of heart and a hope that will be realized where there will be life where sin will be no more.

In chapter 5, Paul shifts the emphasis from faith to life, to the experiential results of having a faith relationship with Jesus.  Now that he has established how we are made right with God through a trust relationship what is the fruit of such an experience?

The Fruits of Justification by Faith
Romans 5:1-5

  • What are the fruits of justification?

1. Peace with God (v.1)
2. Access to God (v.2)
3. Joy (v.2)
4. Hope (5)

  • Are there by products associated with these fruits? See verses 3-5.

  • If these are the fruits of faith, what is it like to live without having been justified and having a trusting relationship with God?

  • How does the law complicate things?

  • How does the law help resolve the problem? 

  • Is there any tie-in with Adam and Eve’s sin and our sinful ways today? How are we similar? (What happened in Eden that is still prevalent today?

      • The tree became a symbol of independence from God.
      • Adam and Eve determined what was good by what was pleasing to them at the moment regardless of what God had told them leading them to choose a different source for wisdom. (Gen. 3:6).

No One Left Behind, Unless . . .
Romans 5:6-11

  • Who is an enemy of God? (Romans 5:10)
    • Note how the description progresses to that of being called an enemy:
      • “weak” (6a)
      • “ungodly” (6b)
      • “sinners” (8)
      • “enemies” (10)
      • [An enemy is not simply someone who falls a little short of being a trusted friend but someone who is opposed to what one is doing.  Is that what Hebrew 11 describes and what Revelation 13 prophecies

  • How bad do we have to be to lose out on eternal life? (Romans 5:8,10)
    • Sin is best understood when it is contrasted with God’s love!!

The Legacy of Adam or Christ’s? We Choose!
Romans 5:12-17

  • What possible hope do we have when we are so sinful? (Romans 5:5, 11)

  • What key word in verses 12-17 provide the basis of justification by faith?
    • The word “gift” is used 5 times in these six verses!
    • The righteousness that counts is not ours but Christ’s and it comes as a gift.

The Good News and the Bad News
Romans 5:17-21

  • The good news is that God’s grace unlocks what sin has held captive. (LRE)
  • The good news is that Christ died for every human being who has ever lived. The bad news is that not all receive or accept (17) God’s gracious gift. (G. Knight)

Conclusion

God is aware of our problem, of our weaknesses, and has made provision for our salvation. The anxiety of being at odds with God and with ourselves regarding our own inadequacy is replaced with a sense of “peace” even though we have not arrived to the point of being sinless.  How? Our trust is being placed in Jesus rather than in ourselves or in what we have done or will do.

Herder had it right:
“We cannot know ourselves without a reference point outside ourselves.”
 The good news is that we do not need end the paragraph with the realization that we are indeed sinful. No! Don’t stop there!  Because we have access to God through Jesus, because God Himself loves us too and has made available to us the gift of His righteousness.   Our acceptance of that gift brings peace and assurance. (Romans 5:1; 1 John 5:13). The “hope” that results is a certitude without wavering with assurance.

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