Title: The Life of the Saved
Commentary on Romans 29
life of the saved
Romans 5:9-11
Introduction: Our salvation is the result of a price paid on God's part. Because it was through the blood of his son. Without the blood of Jesus Christ, we have nothing to receive from God, and our righteousness, salvation, and hope are unthinkable. Therefore, Paul here says about the life after salvation of Christians who have been reconciled to God through Christ, “We also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” However, we see that the expression “through Christ” appears three times in succession in these same words. By saying “by him” in verse 9, “by the death of his Son” in verse 10, and “through Jesus Christ our Lord” in verse 11, it reveals that all these things are the grace of God through Jesus Christ alone.
1. We who were justified by his blood
(1) The righteousness of Christians is that the blood of Christ is the source of its origin. In the blood of Christ is the grace of forgiveness. It says, “According to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). The penalty for sin is death. This death refers to the shedding of blood. But there is no point in shedding the blood of a sinner. There must be the shedding of innocent blood.
In the Old Testament, according to the Law, animals were substituted for sacrifices of bloodshed. However, the shedding of the blood of such animals was evidenced by the shedding of the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God. Therefore we have been purified by the shedding of His blood (Hebrews 9:14, 22; Matt. 26:28).
(2) The blood of Christ gives righteousness to all who believe in Him. The blood of Christ not only forgives, but also cleanses us. He said that if we confess and repent of our sins, the blood of Christ will cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7-9). The blood of Christ has set us free from the curse of the law, freed us from the condemnation of the law, and united us to Christ in fulfilling the righteousness of the law in Christ.
(3) He said that he was justified. The righteousness we have in Christ is not “to be obtained.” It's not "get it". He asserts, “I have it”. Everything we have in Christ is expressed in the past. Because this work has already been accomplished by Christ. Christian possessions are not “to be held in hope of what Christ will do.” He is saying, “I have obtained it” because I am a person who already possesses the righteousness that has already been accomplished. These things are not burdensome to anyone because God has given them to us by grace, not because God sees our merits. You can own enough, you can win enough, you can get enough in. And there is no need to be afraid at all because such possessions are not temporary, but are given as eternal possessions.
2. What can be obtained from Christ's death and results?
Paul describes three things about the consequences of Christ's death. One is to be saved from wrath, two to be reconciled to God, and the third to be saved by his life.
(1) Before the death of Christ, all mankind was in a position of enmity with God. “When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son.” To say that we have become enemies with God means that human beings are unable to glorify God. Therefore, even now, all those who do not abide in Christ are at enmity with God. Because there was no reconciliation through Christ.
(2) God's enemies are under God's wrath. The word wrath refers to the last rage from which there is no turning back from anger. It is the anger that exceeds the limits of God's patience (2 Peter 3:8,9). God judges mankind with this wrath. He said, “It is appointed unto men once to die, and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). This judgment is a spiritual judgment that no one can escape from after death (Lk 16:19-31). And God's wrath like this will unfold on all mankind at once in front of the White Throne Judgment at the end of mankind (Revelation 20:12-15).
(3) But through the death of Christ we have been reconciled to God. Forgiveness through the blood of Christ is also linked to reconciliation with God. Our enmity with God was the result of our sins, and if those sins are forgiven by the blood of Christ, reconciliation with God is a natural thing. The shedding of Christ's blood also has a meaning as a propitiation (Colossians 1:20). So, what is the meaning of reconciliation with God? It means that we are freed from the wrath of God. And it will be the fact that he received the title of the son of God from the place of enmity. And it is said that we became heirs of Heavenly Father's inheritance together with our Jesus. Reconciliation with God is man's greatest glory.
(4) Next, Paul speaks of salvation as a natural result of those who are reconciled to God. “Moreover, he who is reconciled will be saved by his life.” The salvation of those who are reconciled to God is very natural.
3. The Christian's New Life as a Reconciled One
What should be the life of a Christian who is reconciled to God? Here is the answer to this. “We also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained the reconciliation,” he said. It tells us that Christians who are reconciled to God should live a life that rejoices in God. The word "happy" is proud of as "Kau Kaomai". It means to show off.
Since you are freed from wrath, there is no need to fear. Now that you have been justified, you do not need to be discouraged by guilt. Now that you have been saved, you can live in hope with boldness. God's love that has given us such grace is sure and eternal for us. He said, “Who will separate us from the love of Christ” (Romans 8:35). “It is God who justifies, who can condemn?” (Romans 8:33). “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how can he not also with him also gift us all things” (Romans 8:32).
Conclusion: Therefore, only the joyful life should be the whole of the Christian life. It is because a life without joy is not yet a person of faith who lives in grace. We must grow in our faith and enter into a life of joy. When we realize this one fact that we have been reconciled to God in Christ through Christ, our life enters a new stage. Even in tribulation, suffering, and persecution, we can rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ.