STUDY/DISCUSSION GUIDE ROMANS 5:1 5. THEME: The Limitless Benefits in Christ s Justification of Sinners. v. 1 Basis for the Benefits of Justification

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1 STUDY/DISCUSSIONGUIDE ROMANS5:1 5 INTRODUCTION In this study we are going to launch out into the pursuit of the countless treasures found in Christ s justification of sinners. Spiritual benefits that are destined to bring you eternal riches. THEME: The Limitless Benefits in Christ s Justification of Sinners v.1basisforthebenefitsofjustification KEYWORDS: v. 1 Therefore - This links the justification that is referred to in 3:21-4:25 with the results of that justification that are described in this chapter. FOODFORTHOUGHT: It is vital to be fully convinced of the basis for these benefits that are promised to us in our salvation. Without this there is nothing for our faith to take root in. Therefore in verse 1 refers back to the basis of our benefits in being justified by Christ that were laid out by Paul in the first four chapters. 1:18-3:20 - Paul clearly lays out the universal judgment for sin due all humanity. By both the violation of the Law of Moses by Jews, and the violation of the Law of Conscience by Gentiles we all stand before God as guilty of sin and deserving of judgment. 3:21-4:25 - Paul then lays out the universal solution for sin s judgment through the salvation found through faith in Christ. This solid basis from God that is laid out becomes the basis of expecting with complete assurance all the benefits that flow from it. QUESTION/DISCUSSION: 1. Why is it that the benefits offered in any arena of life are only as good as the genuine capacity of the source of those promised benefits? 2. Can you think of examples where people who were promised great benefits in business, government, or society did not receive them because of the weakness of the source? 3. How would you describe the basis for the promised benefits of being justified, declared not guilty before God in such a way that you could live in a consistent experience of those benefits?

2 v.1benefitsofourjustificationbyfaithinjesuschrist In 5:1-5 we are given a list of four of the many benefits of our salvation in Christ. Benefits that have the capacity to transform our lives in ways that are impossible without being justified by faith. FirstBenefit(v.1) We Have Peace With God KEYWORDS: By Faith - Putting faith in what Christ did for us on the cross is the only way a sinful person can stand before God and be declared just and guiltless. It was Christ's substitutionary death for the penalty of sin that places a person as guiltless before God. Peace with God - This refers to the objective fact of reconciliation with God and its resulting peace. An objective fact that produces inner peace because all tension and alienation with God is removed. FOODFORTHOUGHT: The first benefit of justification is reconciliation with God that provides a wonderful peace with God. Complete justification before God removes all barriers between us and God. This includes the removal of God s displeasure and wrath due our sin as well as all forms of guilt and alienation our sin has created. This peace with God satisfies the deepest longing of our souls. Having peace with God results in a deep inner peace within ourselves that anchors us in spite of the many waves and storms that at times will be trouble to the outward aspects of our lives. Peace with God and peace within ourselves enables us to then be peacemakers with people. Whether friend or foe, we can approach others without walls and alienation, as long as we live from the peace of God to which we are anchored. QUESTION/DISCUSSION: 1. How has peace with God affected your intimacy with God? 2. Why do you think peace with God can have a powerful affect in developing inner peace within yourself? 3. Where would you like to see a greater impact of peace with God and within yourself be lived out in your human relationships? What steps could help that become a reality? SecondBenefit(v.2) We Have Access to the Grace of God KEYWORDS: v. 2 Access - Prosagoge (Gk.) This refers to the bold confidence of a person who enters the presence of a royal dignitary. This verb, in the perfect tense, conveys the idea of an ongoing access. Grace - Charis (Gk.) This word carries the idea of experiencing undeserved favor based on the kindness of the giver. We Stand - This refers to the believers confidence to stand in consistent fellowship with God because of the open access Christ has made available for us. On that basis we are now also able to stand against the forces of Satan, a fallen world, and our own nature.

3 FOODFORTHOUGHT: The second benefit of justification is a limitless access to God s undeserved blessing in our lives. Grace, God s undeserved and limitless benefits are at our disposal. This grace is a treasure chest of spiritual benefits that are genuinely ours (Eph. 1:3). Hebrews 4:16 tells us, Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. This mercy and help is never withheld from those who come by faith in the grace of God. Ephesians 1:6 tells us our lives are to result in being to the praise of the glory of His grace. Lives that reveal the wonderful possibilities of grace. It is a wise person who is willing to admit he cannot do it all on his own. We all need gifts of grace from God to move beyond the prison of our own limitations. One example of what grace can give us is the ability to stand both in guiltless confidence before God as well as in bold strength in our opposition to the devil, our fallen world, and our old nature (2 Cor. 12:9-10). QUESTION/DISCUSSION: 1. How can pride keep us from all that the grace of God could do for us? 2. Why would allowing God to make our lives a living example of what only God s grace can accomplish bring both glory to God and hope to those who see it? 3. Can you identify in your life where grace could enable you to stand against the forces of Satan, our fallen world, and your old nature? ThirdBenefit(v.2) We Hope in the Glory of God KEYWORDS: Rejoice - This refers to not only the feeling of joy but its expression. Hope of the Glory of God - This refers to the hope the believer in Christ now has in being brought into the glory God has promised to be transformed into the likeness of Christ (Rom. 3:23; Col. 1:27; II Cor. 3:18). FOODFORTHOUGHT: The third benefit we have in justification is the amazing hope of becoming a glorious and whole person in Christ. Colossians 1:27 tells us that Christ in us is the hope of our glory as a person transformed by the indwelling Christ. Our hope is to be progressively transformed into the glorious image of Christ. Read Romans 8:29 and 2 Corinthians 3:18. We all must feel that there are things about who we are that we would not want to live with for all eternity. Things that we can confidently look to Christ to totally transform into a glorious expression of who we are meant to be apart from sin. Our solid hope is being able to be who we uniquely are, yet expressed in a way that is in the likeness of Christ. When we become discouraged about how far we seem to fall short of God s glory, we must remember we are in process. Don t give up! Just as a little child may want to give up on learning elementary things because at first they seem so hard. But a wise parent will encourage their child toward persistence, knowing one day that child could excel to greatness if they simply continue in the natural process of learning.

4 QUESTION/DISCUSSION: 1. How would you describe the healthy self-concept every Christian should have? 2. Who ultimately is to be looked to as the source of our glory? How can we keep that truth at the forefront of our attitude about progressive spiritual maturity? 3. What practical steps foster progressive spiritual maturity toward the image of Christ? FourthBenefit(v.3 5) Our Hope is Founded in the Love of God KEYWORDS: Glory in Tribulation - The scriptures portray a very different perspective of suffering than is normally held. It is something that God uses to develop a godly character. In that light it can be seen as something full of glorious possibilities in developing the nature of Christ within us. Perseverance - This describes an attitude of a person of strong fortitude. It was used in Paul's day in literature to describe soldiers who would not become dismayed by the blows in battle but instead would continue to fight to the end. Character - Dokimezo (Gk.) The word means to be genuine or true. Here it refers to how difficulties that are endured have a way of developing and revealing the genuine characteristics of Christ in a person. Hope - Elpis (Gk.) This is a desire and expectation of good. v. 5 Does Not Disappoint - A believer's hope is seen here as being well founded. Love of God Our hope in the midst of suffering is the love of God that will enable us to endure suffering in a way that will yield transformation of our lives. Poured Out - The key experience here in the development of a believer who is enduring suffering is in the abundant outpouring of God's nature of love within the inner being of a believer. FOODFORTHOUGHT: Tribulation is promised to be one of the tools God uses to produce a glorious change in our lives. Our weaknesses are exposed in our trials. This then provides us with an opportunity to not only face our weakness, but to turn to our hope for glorious transformation by Christ within us. The development of perseverance, character, and hope are proof of Christ s work within us. Our hope in this process is founded on the unmovable love of God for us. Read Romans 8: QUESTION/DISCUSSION: 1. What changes do you need to make in how you look at and respond to trials and tribulations in life? 2. In what way do you believe trials can become a direct link to developing perseverance and character? 3. What are the resulting benefits in becoming a person who is persistent and of a godly character? 4. How does the love of God enable us to endure the most difficult of situations? Read Romans 8:33-39.

5 CONCLUSION The benefits of Christ s gift of being justified before God are priceless. However, it is of little value if these benefits are not actively accessed by faith. Make it your aim today to not simply know of, but to passionately pursue God s benefits of justification for you as if it were silver and gold. In fact they are the only silver and gold that will last beyond the Day of Judgment.