Romans 5: Message of hope

Territorial Whole-Life Discipleship Officer Major Michael Hutchings explores the assurance the Holy Spirit gives.

Key text

• Romans 5:1–11

I enjoy receiving gifts, and occasionally I receive one that demonstrates that the giver cares deeply about me and also knows me well. The generosity, nature of the gift and the feeling of being loved always prompt me to stop and express gratitude.

Our study passage focuses on a God who knows, loves and gives generously to us. It also provides a foundation for Spirit-filled living that’s characterised by thanksgiving, hope and peace, and that reflects God’s past work, his future plans and their combined impact on our present experience.

Pause and reflect

• How often do you stop to reflect on God’s generosity in your life?

So far in Romans, we have seen Paul describe the gospel as ‘the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes’ (1:16). He subsequently explains why everyone, regardless of background or status, needs salvation, ‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23). Later, he describes Jesus as ‘delivered over to death for our sins and … raised to life for our justification’ (Romans 4:25). God has generously declared sinners righteous in his eyes.

Paul begins Romans 5 with a pivotal word – ‘therefore’ (v1) – as he outlines the blessings of being justified through faith in Jesus. He confidently describes believers’ present status and future hope. The recurrence of the word ‘we’ highlights that this is personal; Paul counts himself as a believer.

Paul makes three claims. First, having been justified by faith in the past, we have peace with God in the present (see v1). We are reconciled to him. Second, we stand in grace (see v2). We are accepted by God. Third, we boast in the hope of the glory of God (see v2). In his book The Message of Romans, John Stott comments that this glory has been made known: in creation; through Jesus; and, one day, it will be fully revealed. This is our future inheritance.

Writing in Romans for Normal People, JR Daniel Kirk says: ‘Paul connects the dots between the past and the future in a way that has power to radically transform the present.’

Pause and reflect

• How different would your life be if you lived it in the light of God’s past work and future promises?

However, life isn’t always easy. Paul doesn’t shy away from suffering, as encountered by Christians (see John 16:33). If discipleship is about learning to live like Jesus in our everyday contexts, then suffering in daily life must be an expected part of that, causing us to respond with perseverance, which develops character and, ultimately, hope. Furthermore, we can embrace suffering with rejoicing rather than resentment, assured that we will grow through it. And our hope is not in vain. It is rooted in God’s love, which is not only shown objectively through the death and resurrection of Christ, but also ‘poured out into our hearts’ (Romans 5:5) and experienced subjectively through the Holy Spirit. Our daily felt experience of God’s love through the Spirit flows naturally from the factual, historical evidence of God’s love.

Pause and reflect

• In what ways have you suffered as a Christian and how have these experiences shaped you?
• How have you experienced the Holy Spirit’s ministry during these times?
• How is rejoicing in suffering possible?

In verses 6 to 11, Paul revisits what Jesus has done for us. He depicts humanity as ‘sinners’ (v8), ‘ungodly’ (v6), ‘God’s enemies’ (v10) and ‘powerless’ (v6) to rescue ourselves.

The picture of humanity is dark, but the contrast with Christ is stark. Jesus, ‘at just the right time’ (v6), took the initiative, proving his love and doing what no human could do – dying on behalf of those who were neither good nor righteous. Paul writes: ‘While we were still sinners, Christ died for us’ (v8). What heart-warming words!

Pause and reflect

• Can you recognise yourself in Paul’s picture of humanity?
• How might a deeper understanding of this picture change your appreciation of Jesus’ death on the cross?

Paul now turns to the future. Pointing to Christ’s past work of justification and reconciliation, he asks ‘how much more…’ (vv9 and 10) – suggesting that, on the basis of these two remarkable acts, we can be even more confident of two more things in the future.

First, Christians will also be ‘saved from God’s wrath’ through Jesus (v9). While humanity awaits a future day of God’s judgement (see Romans 2:5), those who are ‘in Christ Jesus’ will not face condemnation (Romans 8:1); they have already passed from death to life (see John 5:24).

Second, believers will be ‘saved through his life’ (v10). Paul doesn’t go into detail, however he is hinting here that the full extent of our salvation will only be realised at the climax of history, when we experience ultimate joy in God. As John Stott notes, ‘salvation has a future tense as well as past and present tenses’, and we can be confident that God will finish what he has started.

God knows and loves us and, through Jesus’ work in the past, the Spirit’s assurance in the present and a glimpse of God’s future plans, we live in what Andrew Ollerton calls ‘the place of peace’. In his book Romans – A Letter that Makes Sense of Life, he writes: ‘Here we can experience [peace] through the unconditional and unchanging love of God through the Holy Spirit.’ What a reassurance to live in the light of Scripture and the witness of the Spirit.

Our place in God’s story – past, present, and future – is secure. We surely have every reason to ‘boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (v11).