Grace Abounds-Slaves of Righteousness

Romans 6:11-23 Grace abounding brings freedom from sin and the privilege of being a slave to righteousness.

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Grace Abounds-Slaves of Righteousness

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Romans 6:10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.

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Jesus died to sin once for all; likewise you also reckon your self dead indeed to sin, but alive to God. In Christ there is truly victory over sin. Verse 12 starts with “therefore”. Because of the truths shared do not let sin reign in your mortal body. Believer the directive is clear; you are no longer a slave to obey every lust in the body. The greatness of the grace of God, Jesus died for sin once for all and now lives unto God giving you liberty over sin. Jesus death atoned for your sin; Jesus life will keep you from the wrath of God. Did the Lamb of God succeed at taking away the sin of the world?

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Romans 6:13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, butpresent yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

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It is time for the church of Jesus Christ to learn to present our members as instruments of righteousness. Present yourself to God as being alive from the dead. Come on into the throne room of God as though you are alive, justified, and righteous. You can only do this if you have reckoned your self dead to sin and alive unto God.

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Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!

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If sin has dominion over your life you need to come to grace for the first time or you need a greater revelation of the grace you did receive. One reason some believers struggle in sin is because they have never learned the depth of liberty of grace. When the Son Jesus Christ sets you free from sin you are free indeed. This liberty is only found under grace! If you got set free from sin you are not under law but under grace. Shall we go on sinning because of the fact we are not under law but under grace? No, way; no how! Certainly not!

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Romans 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

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It boils down to 2 groups of people; slaves of righteousness and slaves of sin. If you obeyed the gospel by putting your faith in Jesus Christ you are a slave of righteousness. The supernatural happens when you surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. At the point you are set free from sin you become of slave of righteousness. If you have never been set free from sin you must be born again. There is no other way to get free from the grasp of sin. Jesus is the exclusive and only hope; whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

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Romans 6:19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

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If you truly have received grace, present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. If you are still enslaved to sin, it is time to come to the fullness of Jesus Christ’s grace.

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A sinner is slave to sin and keeps on sinning. Is a sinner capable of an act of righteousness? Yes, but that does not make the sinner righteous. Righteousness for a sinner can only come exclusively through faith in Jesus Christ! Jesus obedient act has the power to make a repentant sinner righteous.

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A righteous man is a slave of righteousness and keeps on walking in righteousness. Does a righteous man have the ability to do an act of sin?. Yes, but his Advocate has the last word. If Jesus demonstrated His love by dying for the sinner how much the more will Jesus save the righteous man from God’s wrath. (Romans 5:9-10)

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Becoming a slave of righteousness is a supernatural work of God’s grace.

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Ephesians 4:22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

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Here is Ephesians 4 we have a picture of the spirit, soul and body of a believer. You put off the “old man” this is what you died to when you came to Jesus. The only way to put off the old man is by reckoning him dead through faith in Jesus Christ. Then you have the soul being renewed. Your soul is your mind, intellect, and emotions; this is where battle is fought for walking in victory. Renewing your mind will always be a work in progress. You are bringing your thinking and your emotions in line with the Word of God. There is no other way to renew your mind. Put on the new man. If you don’t have a new man you have never been born again. Don’t miss the truth presented in verse 24. The new man was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. You can see the picture clearly in these verses; you have a perfected spirit, you have a soul which is a work in progress, and you have a old man or body which we need to reckon dead.

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Romans 6:20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.

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Someone who has not been born again is absolutely free from righteousness. The work of grace is so great that when one has surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ you are a new creation which brings true righteousness and holiness to the believer.

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2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

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So great is the work of grace Jesus said a truth about the least in the kingdom of God .

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Luke 7:28 "For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

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Jesus affirmed John the Baptist as the greatest prophet that ever came; however, he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than John the Baptist. Why? It is because of the greater work of grace! It is directly related to Jesus Christ came full of grace and truth! Righteousness imputed to all who genuinely place faith in Jesus is so great, it exceeds the greatness of all the prophets who have gone on before.

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Romans 6:22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

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What a privilege to become a slave of righteousness! We are no longer our own we have been bought with the precious blood of Jesus. We can put on the new man because of Jesus atoning work. God calls us to bring our soul in line with what He has already done in our spirit.

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1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God;

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How do we know how to possess our vessels in sanctification and honor? Reckon yourself dead to sin and alive unto God! Present your members as instruments of righteousness.

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Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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There is no middle ground! If God is your Father you are a slave to righteousness; if the devil is your father you are a slave to sin!

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John 8:23 And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."

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John 8:35 "And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

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John 8:42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43 "Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 "You are of your father the devil,

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I say it often and it is ever true. What you think about Jesus determines your destiny. Jesus came to set you free from sin; when the Son sets you free from sin you are free indeed. Slaves of righteousness is the liberty so many are looking for; the enemy of our soul would have us reject this truth. Are we talking sinless perfection? Yes, Jesus is the sinless perfection that we need. He is the perfect Advocate for every believer who has sinned and for every believer who ever will sin. What Jesus did at the cross is great enough. He was wounded for our transgression and He was bruised for our iniquity, the punishment of our peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed!

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Isaiah 53:12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.

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Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

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1 Peter 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

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Those who have come to Jesus have received from the fullness of His grace; they have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of their soul.

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Grace Abounds; What About My Sin?

Where sin abounds grace does much more abound. Abounding grace brings complete victory over every sin! Thank you Jesus for your marvelous grace!

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“Grace Abounds; What About My Sin?”

Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Where sin abounds grace abounds much more. This is the point we ended with last week! Romans is a building block book. We can not move into the truths found in Romans 6 and beyond until we have what Paul has taught us already. The truths established up to this point help us in our understanding of the principles yet to be taught. Let’s review the building blocks up to this point:

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1. The reason Paul was writing Romans was to declare the just shall live by faith. 2. There are three groups of people Paul identifies, the wicked, those under law, and the morally good people not under the knowledge of the law. 3. Paul concluded it did not matter what group you came from, all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; there is none who can find righteousness on their own. 4. There is a righteousness apart from the works of the law and apart from man’s own works; this is the righteousness of God that comes exclusively through faith in Jesus Christ. 5. Those who have come to God’s defined righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ have access granted. 6. Access granted means God will change our character bringing our soul and body in line with what God did in our spirit at salvation. At the point of salvation we are perfected in our spirit 2 Corinthians 5:17 Hebrews 10:14. At the point of salvation a work begins in our soul or mind Romans 12:1-2. At the point of salvation our body is affected however it will have to wait for the final redemption Romans 8:23.

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Where sin abounds grace does much more abound. What does a believer do when they have fallen short again? Have you ever been on a sin repent, sin repent, sin repent cycle? We need a revelation of the greatness of God divine influence upon our life. The good news is you don’t have to live on a sin repent, sin repent, sin repent cycle for the rest of your life. The truth that can set you free; where sin abounds grace does much more abound.

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Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?

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Paul taught grace so strong that the question arose “Shall we continue in sin that grace might abound?”. If the question does not arise grace is not being taught properly! The grace message Paul taught was fought against in his day. The battle rages on today. When teaching on grace it often brings confrontation.

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Romans 3:8 And why not say, "Let us do evil that good may come"?; as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.

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This abounding grace will ever be founded on the fact of one Man’s obedient act brings righteousness. It is not our obedient act, but Jesus Christ alone that has provided righteousness for those who will believe upon Him. Grace should be preached to the degree that the soothsayers of the day will slanderously report we teach lets go on sinning. Grace should be preached so strong the next obvious question is, shall we go on sinning that grace might abound?

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Romans 6:2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

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If we have the genuine salvation experience we have died to sin. If we have a true faith in Jesus Christ we died to old man (sin nature) and surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus.

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The beloved John did write specifically what a child of God is to do if we sin. It is not written in 1 John chapter 1 but in 1 John chapter 2.

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1 John 2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. :2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

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John the beloved wrote if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. When we the believer sin we need to run to our Advocate Jesus Christ. Much of the church has never learned to reckon themselves dead to sin and alive unto God. Jesus will evermore be the propitiation for the sin of the believer!

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Romans 6:8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowingthat Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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If a believer sins or even perhaps is on the sin, repent, sin repent cycle consider our Advocate Jesus Christ. If repentance alone was enough victory would have already been gained. One has tortured their self asking why is my repentance not working? Do I not have true repentance? The devil has tortured them with accusations of hypocrisy; in their weakened sate they have even agreed with the devil’s lies. Considering the Advocate Jesus Christ is the answer.

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How many times did Jesus die for sin? Is there more deaths for Him to die? Romans 6:11 clearly says “Likewise”! In the same way Jesus Christ died to sin once and now lives unto God, you too died to sin once; now by faith reckon yourself dead indeed to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus soul was poured out as an offering for our sin. Jesus bore the punishment and guilt for our sin; our blood covenant says we are dead to sin and alive unto God.

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Romans 6:3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death,that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

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These verses are not pointing to water baptism as some have claimed, or of the baptism of the Holy Spirit but the experience of putting your faith in Jesus Christ. However, if you have believed, you have been commanded to be water baptized, and likewise if you have truly believed the baptism of the Holy Spirit is for you! Jesus is still the baptizer of the Holy Spirit.

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Ephesians 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

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When Paul wrote there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism. He was writing about the baptism into Jesus Christ. He was not writing about water baptism, the baptism of the Holy Spirit or even the baptism of suffering. The one baptism is the baptism into Christ. We have been baptized into Christ becoming a child in the kingdom of God . We have come into the kingdom of God to walk in the newness of life.

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1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body; whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free; and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

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It is a supernatural work of the Spirit of God to be baptized into the body of Christ. Salvation is the point where you genuinely put your faith in Jesus.

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Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

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John 5:24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

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The baptism into Christ is a revelation that Jesus is the Messiah. Just like Peter confessed “You are the Christ the Son of the living God”, and much like the thief on the cross “Remember me when you come into your kingdom”, baptism into Christ comes at your confession.

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1 John 4:15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

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1 John 5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God,

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Romans 6:5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin.

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Our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with. Verse 7 is so strong, in past tense, he who has died has been freed from sin. We must see ourselves as set free from sin.

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John 8:34 Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 "And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

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The specific truth that sets you free: When Jesus sets one free from sin they are free indeed! Where sin abounds grace does much more abound because he who the Son set free is free indeed.

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Romans 6:11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.

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There is a perfected work God has done in our spirit. When we are reckoning our self dead to sin we are acknowledging we have been joined back to God Spirit to spirit and we are renewing our soul with the Word.

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Hebrews 12:5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives." 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?

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With the promise of abounding grace comes the promise of correction from the Father of spirits. If one can sin and go on sinning without the correction of God, know that one is not a true partaker of grace. We who are truly abounding in grace are under subjection to the Father of spirits and live!

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Ephesians 4:22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

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Your spirit made new, your soul is being renewed, and one day this body will be changed with a new body. Grace abounding will be the empowering force to living worthy of our calling.

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Access Granted; Hope Comes Alive With Much More

Romans 5 is the much more chapter. The believer can reign in life!

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Access Granted; Hope Comes Alive With Much More

Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

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Access into the grace of God has been granted! Don’t just step up to the door, walk on in. God intends for His children to make use of the access and stand in the fullness of His grace. God calls us to walk in the righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost He provided.

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Hebrews 6:20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

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Have you ever considered that Jesus is your forerunner! Coming into this life style of grace gives one a different perspective. Assurance of righteousness and justification is predicated on faith in Jesus Christ. We all know that John the Baptist was Jesus forerunner; it is time to know that Jesus is your forerunner. Like John the Baptist paved the way for Jesus ministry on earth, Jesus paved the way into the presence of the Mighty God for us.

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Romans 5: 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

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Knowing we are expected to show up in the presence of God empowers us to glory in tribulations. Oh, I know nobody wants a study on tribulations. What if we knew our tribulation was our doorway to the blessed assurance of hope? What if we knew our tribulation was God’s opportunity to show off His power and might? What if we knew tribulation was God breeding ground to make our soul come in line with what God has already done in our spirit? Fruit will not come just because we are in tribulation; fruit comes when we learn to glory in our tribulation. When you begin to glory in tribulation it produces perseverance. The perseverance is producing character. When our character has been changed our perception has been corrected and we can properly lay hold of the hope God has poured into our hearts.

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In the middle of our tribulation we can rejoice that God sent Jesus to take away our sin. In the middle of our tribulation we can rejoice that the sacrifice of Jesus was great enough to wash away sin and impute the righteousness of God. We can rejoice that his death brought us righteousness and His resurrection brings us justification of life. The shame, guilt, and bondage has been broken by the power of the cross. Tribulation can bring you to just hanging on to life by a thread or walking in abundant life. When we have grown to rejoice in the midst of tribulation there is a producing of character that says I can make it! We can make it on the merits of Jesus is our forerunner; that is true hope. Lay aside the weight and sin, looking unto Jesus as the author and finisher of our faith. When our eyes are upon Jesus we can see the love of God which has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

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Romans 5:6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

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While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Jesus death on the cross is God’s proactive love at work. In fact before sin came into the world God had His redemption plan in place.

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1 Peter 1:18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.

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Jesus is the Lamb of God foreordained not after the fact of sin but before the foundation of the world. I know I have written the same truth twice. Please consider the truth of God’s plan for salvation; salvation plan is not an after thought to the creation of man. Please consider the ramifications of this truth!

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The access granted brings hope alive! Man sinned and the law was added to make sin exceeding sinful. However the law could not grant access; the law exposed the great need of man. Without a loving God bringing divine intervention there would not be reconciliation to God. Our hope is anchored in the loving act of the Mighty God; redeeming us with the blood of His own Son. The ransom price was paid while we were yet in sin separated from God.

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Romans 5:9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

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I love calling Romans 5 the “much more” chapter. Here in verse nine it starts with the “Much more then”. There is one degree of a love demonstrated with the Savior dying for sinners; there is a much more then for those who have had the blood of Jesus already applied. Because we have been justified we have a “much more” love saving us from wrath through Jesus. Does your doctrinal stance allow room for “much more then” salvation? The much more is just getting started.

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Romans 5:10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son,much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

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No longer enemies of God we have the second much more being declared. We have gained “son” status because of reconciliation. We shall be saved by Jesus life! What are we trusting in for salvation; in Christ alone we place our trust.

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Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

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Saved to the uttermost! What great news!

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Romans 8:32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

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Those who come into this “justified by faith” salvation have hope based on confident expectation. Our salvation is greater than many are willing to teach; our God is so great He will freely give us all things.

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Luke 12:31 "But seek the kingdom of God , and all these things shall be added to you. 32 "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

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We serve a good God who has good things for His children.

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Romans 5:11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whomwe have now received the reconciliation.

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We have “now” received the reconciliation! We were sinners but now we are “now” reconciled by Christ.

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2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

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If you have come into this covenant of grace the access you have to God is powerful and it brings hope alive. If you have been born again you are a new creation. Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. What a powerful reconciliation! He is the much more God!

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Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned; 13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.

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The 3^rd “much more”. The free gift is a much more gift! Through one man sin death came to the human race; through one Man the grace of God brought the gift or righteousness and justification by faith in Jesus. Much more life is the benefit to all who have placed their faith in the true Messiah Jesus Christ.

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Romans 5:16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)

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Here is the 4^th “much more” truth! By the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness believers will reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ. This is the reason I often refer to myself as a grace man! As sin brought death and condemnation, Jesus Christ has brought us the gift of righteousness giving us abundant life. The life is much more than the death! Reigning in life is not elusive; it is reality to those who believe this truth.

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Romans 5:18 Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,

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Are you ready for the 5^th “much more”? Where sin abounded grace abounded much more! One Man’s righteous act brought the free gift for all men, resulting in justification of life. Whose obedience shall you trust in for justification before God? The grace of God only allows one correct answer! By one Man’s obedience we can be made righteous! The obedience of Jesus Christ is the only act one can trust in for righteousness and justification. Faith placed in any other person or action is a faith outside the covenant of grace; misplaced faith results in death. Jesus paid it all; all to Him I owe. Sin has left a crimson stain; He washed it white as snow.

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Romans 5:21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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For the believer there is a reigning in life. The abundant life is found exclusively through Jesus Christ our Lord. Saved by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and there is no other way to salvation. Much more life in Christ!

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We Have Access Roman 5: 1-2

"We Have Access" What a privilege; Now that we have been reconciled back to God we have been granted access into sweet communion with God. The truth about access is great and news even gets better when we continue next week with "how much the more".

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We Have Access

Romans 5:1-2

Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

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Privilege

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Romans 5:1 starts with the word therefore. Because of what has just been writing from the beginning of the letter of Romans to now we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. For review what have we seen in Romans chapters 1-4?

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Paul wrote the book of Romans to declare the Just shall live by faith. The wicked, the law keepers and the morally good were all placed in the same spot. There is none good, no not one. We may find a good man if we compare ourselves among ourselves; however when it come to how great God is, there is none that is righteous. The Scriptures have confined all men under the law that all mouths may be stopped for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Then God revealed his great plan of salvation; God plan was bringing the righteousness of God apart from the works of the law. Man being justified by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone. As Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness so we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ. All these truth lead up to the therefore in Romans 5.

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Having been justified by faith we have peace with God. Peace is having an oneness with God. The magnitude of justification is so great because it gives us access into this grace in which we stand. Access is into the unmerited favor of God and His divine influence upon our hearts. Saved by grace and not of works least any man should boast! What does access by faith into this grace do for us? Yes, yes it brings us to faith in God but that is not all that it does.

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Romans 1:5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,

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The grace and gifts God have been given to us is for the obedience to the faith. Grace has been given to empower us to fulfill the purpose God has for His children.

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Romans 16:24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith;

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Grace has been given to establish you for the obedience to the faith!

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Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

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The divine influence of Jesus is how your heart will be established. Having an intimate relationship with Jesus and faith in His atoning work is the only way a heart can be established and walk at peace with God. There are so many strange doctrines producing a list of do’s and don’ts; they are false doctrines. We need to come back and partake from justification by faith in Jesus Christ alone.

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There is a standard by which man can tell if he has truly entered the grace of God. The standard is not by your opinion or my opinion; it must be that which is founded solely on the Word of God!

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Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that,denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

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If you have come into the true grace of God it teaches you! The grace of God will establish your heart! The grace of God empowers you to obey. The grace of God teaches us to deny the ungodliness and worldly lust. Not only does it teach us what to deny but it also compels us to live righteously and godly in the present age. God grace always leaves your expectation in the risen Savior. I have heard many explain grace as their excuse to continue in the snare of sin they find themselves caught in; however grace imparts truth to the hearer that will set them free from the snare of the fowler.

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2 Timothy 2:25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

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Grace gives us unparallel access into God’s presence.

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Mark 15:37 And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. 38 Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

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In the Old Testament the presence of God dwelt behind the veil in the Most Holy Place . This was the place where only the High Priest was allowed access to God; this access was limited to once a year at the time of the atonement offering. In the most Holy Place the High Priest would go in at the time of the atonement and apply the blood of the innocent animal to make atonement for the sins of the nation Israel .

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When the sins of the people were being atoned the innocent sacrifice bore the guilt and shame of sin; however the sacrifice was closely examined to see if it qualified to make atonement. The High Priest would carefully examine the sacrifice offered; the sacrifice had to be perfect. Before the sacrifice could be examined the Priest had to carefully be cleansed before he qualified to offer the sacrifice for the sin. There was a cleansing for the nation but it all pointed to a greater cleansing coming

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Jesus is the Lamb of God that took away the sins of the world. Jesus is the first High Priest coming with the power of an endless life giving us access into the very presence of God. After pouring out His soul for an offering for sin the veil in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. Access had been granted in the heavenly temple not made with hands. The Lamb was examined and has been declared worthy to open the book. The High Priest came being sinless and had the power of an endless life.

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Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

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Jesus brought us near with His blood; He Himself is our peace. The middle wall of separation was the veil between God’s presence and His people. In Jesus flesh the enmity was abolished! The reconciling of both Jew and Gentile was through the cross, there by putting to death the enmity. The way of access has been made there is no hostility between God the Father and man. It was ended on the cross when enmity was put to death. This is the grace message we need to lay hold of; Jesus finished the work of the cross and the enmity was abolished.

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Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

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The handwriting of requirement that was against us has been taken out of the way. That which was contrary to us exposing us as sinners was nailed to the cross. Jesus has forgiven you all trespasses!

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Colossians 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

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The hostility was ended with peace being made by the blood of Jesus Christ cross! Justification came by faith in the atoning work Christ has done

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Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,

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The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made us free from the law of sin and death. Jesus dealt with sin to gain access into the very throne of God for all who would be justified by faith in Him.

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Hebrews 6:19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

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Amazing grace; amazing access to God!

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Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

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Our High Priest can sympathize with our weaknesses! In our hour of weakness and in the time we need grace the most, we have been invited to come boldly! We have not left the thought found in Romans 5:2 we have access… If ever you have placed your faith in Jesus as your Messiah, in your time of need come to the throne of grace!

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Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

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Rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Access has been granted! The sacrifice was holy enough and great enough and the High Priest was well qualified to bring you into the very presence of God. Come on in!

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