Wednesday Devo
Scripture:
Romans 5
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
Commentary:
5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified. Chapter 5 begins with a ringing affirmation of the objective legal standing of the Christian—that the Christian, through faith in Christ, has been justified and declared righteous by God, once for all. The result of this is that the Christian no longer lives under the fear of judgment and the wrath of God but has peace with God, which is not merely a subjective feeling but an objective reality. See also note on John 14:27.
5:2 The grace in which we stand refers to the secure position of the believer’s standing (as a blessing of justification), and the hope of the glory of God refers to the promise that Christians will be glorified and perfected at the last day—a hope that results in joy.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2165.
5:2 The grace in which we stand refers to the secure position of the believer’s standing (as a blessing of justification), and the hope of the glory of God refers to the promise that Christians will be glorified and perfected at the last day—a hope that results in joy.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2165.
Questions:
- Scripture alone, grace alone, and then we talked about Sola FIDE, or FAITH alone. Faith alone is the belief that a person is granted access in to the grace of God and receives the righteousness of God through faith alone and apart from works. This is another area where the Roman Catholic church had missed the mark. Whereas Scripture teaches that good works we do, or the fruits of our life, are a RESULT of the work Jesus has done IN us, a works-based theology says there are lots of other things we must do in order to earn or keep God's love, grace, forgiveness and favor. This is an incredibly dangerous way to interpret the gospel, and it is our default if we aren't vigilant. What might some of those dangers be? Do you have any examples of this in your own life? What are the consequences of operating in a works-based faith?
- The truth is, we can all tend to slide into this religious mindset that dumbs down our faith to certain religious activities. How can you tell if you are drifting in that direction? And if you find yourself there, how do you go about course correcting?
Pray:
- That God would remind you that there's nothing you can do to earn His grace.
- That you would resist slipping into a works-based theology and mindset.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
3. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? Since “all have sinned” and the “wages of sin is death,” Jesus had to die on the cross to pay the fine for my sin so I could be right with God.
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
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