April 3, 2011
Paul's context is the blessedness of sins forgiven, that is righteousness and justification by faith, and not of faith alone through Christ alone, and Not by works of righteousness which we have done, Titus 3:5.
Paul uses the major saints of old as his example as he defines that blessedness, Abraham and David. That blessedness consists of justification by faith and sins forgiven.
This chapter can be divided into two parts as Paul builds upon what he has presented;
First, vv. 1-11, the results of free grace, or justification by faith. That is free and ready access to God the Father.
Second, vv. 12-21, how the disobedience of one man, Adam, is imputed, or applied to all mankind. And how the obedience of one man, Christ Jesus, is imputed, or applies to many through faith.
V. 1, peace with God.
V. 2, hope, or assurance of our future glory with God.
Vv. 3-5, Divine favor does not mean flowery beds of ease. Rather, the Spirit uses afflictions to assure of God's love and to give us hope.
Vv. 6-10, the assurance of the final salvation of all believers.
V. 11, salvation, or atonement, is not only assurance of future glory, v. 2, but is a present and abundant joy.
V. 1, Peace with God... There are two ideas here:
First, God is at peace with us. We are no longer objects of his displeasure. We are no longer his enemies, but objects of his favor, v. 10. God's wrath agaist us was removed by the death of his Son. Rather, through faith in Christ, we are objects of his favor.
Second, we are at peace with God. We have inward peace, a clear conscience toward God.
Hebrews 9:9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 10:2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Paul makes it clear that this peace with God is the result of justification by faith. Those who rely on their own works for justification, can have no peace. They can neither remove the displeasure of God, nor quiet their apprehension of punishment. (Hodge)
V. 1, this peace is part of the blessedness that Paul spoke of in chapter 4. It is only available through justification through faith in Chirst. It can not be through man in any way, not by merit nor by effort. No matter how good those efforts might be, they are all as filthy rags before the thrice-holy God of heaven and earth.
V. 2. Having peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord, we also have access to his throne of grace:
Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Ephesians 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
this grace wherein we stand. That is, we are firm and immovable in the truth of God as revealed in his word:
1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
wherein we stand... Grace prevents our being blown about with every wind and craftiness and deception that comes along.
In Christ, we are on a sure foundation, or hope, that at that time in the future, we will glory in the presence of God. We also have the assurance that our foundation of faith in Christ will not collapse under the stress of tribulation; it provide the grace which allows us to rejoice in hope of the glory of God. For in him, we know that the end result of our tribulation, is boldness, maketh not ashamed.
Vv. 3, 4.
Glory in tribulation... Not only do we glory in our assured future glory, but we glory in present tribulations. Why?
Before our justification by faith in Christ, tribulations and afflictions were expressions of God's displeasure. But now they are manifestations of his love. They prove his love for us as his children:
Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Tribulations are not joyous but grievous at the present. But to the believer, they become a matter of joy and thankfulness. For the believer, tribulations are to be cause of rejoicing. Though at the present, they do not seem like it, but they are to bring about the blessing to the Heavenly Father.
Romans 4:8 Blessed is the man... v. 9 Cometh this blessedness...
Matthew 5:4, blessed are they who mourn, v. 10 blessed are they which are persecuted, v. 12, rejoice and be exceedingly glad...
The Apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for Christ's name, Acts 5:41.
Peter also calls upon Christians to rejoice when they are partakers of Christ's sufferings, and prononced them happy when they are reproached for his sake. 1 Peter 4:13, 14.
Christians do not glory in tribulations and suffering for its own sake, but for what the Bible teaches about tribulations and suffering.
1. It is an honor to suffer for Christ.
2. It is a oportonity for God to show his power.
3. It is a means of sanctification and preparation for usefulness in his Kingdom here and in heaven hereafter.
Notice: If we enjoy hanging around with the unholly here, then how can we enjoy heaven.
While in Indiana, I associated with a preachers' fellowship that exalted those who were involved in tribulation. To them, it was a badge of honor, so several sought that badge. Their efforts had little or nothing at all to do with exalting Christ, but of exalting self among their peers.
4. It is a working of patience in us. That is, constancy. Tribulations require strength and firmness in the faith to endure tribulations, and still remain faithful in the most sever trials to truth and duty.
5. It is an experience. Constancy worketh experience. Experience here means trials, evidence or proof. That is, Consistency to our profession of Christ in the midst of tribulation proves or is evidence of God faithfulness to us, and our faithfulness to him.
5. It is an evidence. Tribulation is to produce evidence of the reality of the blessedness of Christianity:
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
We, as Christians, are to consider tribulations proof of God's love, and of his working to conform us to the image of his Son. Endurance of those trials produces hope, strengthen hope and work to glorify God.
The strength in trials is not founded on anything that we might have, but it is found in our assurance of justification by faith, and our boldness before the throne of God's mercy and grace.
Note how Paul uses hope:
Romans 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
Hope is faith in Christ, and confidence that his righteousness is applied to our account.
Paul's context is the blessedness of justification. That blessedness results in a clear conscience of forgiven sin, victory over sin in this life, and the assurance of eternal home with the Father.
Not ashamed... That is, our faith will not be disappointed when we come to the end of our life.
Because the love of God... That is, the basis of our assurance is not our strength or confidence in our own goodness or abilities to "hang on till the end". Rather, our confidence is in the Love of God as witnessed in our hearts.
God's love
First, that love is not proved by external circumstances which may be great tribulation, vv. 3, 4.
Second, that love was proved in our hearts by the witness of the indwelling Holy Ghost.
Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 ¶ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (2 Corinthians 1:21, 22, Ephesians 1:14.)
Third, that love is witnessed in the death of Christ for the ungodly, v. 6.
The Spirit never witnesses to the children of the devil that they are the children of God.
V. 6.
1 John 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
We, God's people, are the object of God's love. Dying for another is the highest proof of love; the death of Christ for his people represents the highest possible proof of his love for sinners.
Without strength... Lack of spiritual strength to do anything that might be considered good.
We can understand that God might love a good, godly, righteous, pure person. But that is not the case here. He gave his son for an ungodly, sinful people who hated him.
If God loved us because we loved him, then only so long as we loved him would he love us. But God loved us as sinners, so his love is not based in any good we have done, but based on the good Christ has done. God's love caused Christ to die in our place for our justification and our salvation.
Regardless of how the world might attempt to present Christ, Christ did not die as an example of love nor as a martyr, but he died as a substitute to pay the eternal price for specific sinners.
V. 7, Paul further emphasizes God's love, again pointing out the unworthiness of the objects of God's love. So far from being good in any sense of the word, we were sinners.
1 Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: [when Christ died in your place] but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
We had no nor now have righteous in any sense of the word that might have influenced someone to die for us. Rather, we were ungodly sinners who were in love with the sins of the world, flesh and the devil, and were at war with God. 1 Corinthians 6.
V. 8, God proved his love. How can the redeemed believer doubt his love, though all the circumstances might be against him?
V. 9, is the assurance that all believers shall be ultimately saved in the wrath to come.
If Christ died for his enemies, he will surely save his friends.
To be justified means more than to be pardoned. It includes the idea of restoration to the favor of God that Adam lost (reconciliation). That restoration to favor is based upon the satisfaction of God's justice against our sin. That is, the blessedness spoken of by Paul.
V. 9, Justified by his blood, not by our works, our faith, nor our new spirit of obedience. We are justified by what Christ has done for his people:
Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Salvation includes justification and deliverance from the eternal wrath to come against sinners. But it is far more; it includes preservation from all causes of destruction, a deliverance from power of the surrounding evils here in this life. It includes introduction into the blessedness of heaven.
Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
1. The word salvation (soteria) means deliverance, preservation, victory, and health, and it refers to material and temporal deliverance, as well as personal, national, temporal and material triumph. The biblical doctrine of salvation is so clearly one of victory, that it must be emphatically stated that salvation is not escape. Many pagan concepts of deliverance are really doctrines of escape. (R.J. Rushdoony, Salvation and Godly Rule, p. 1. Ross House Books.)
2. The righteousness of Christ, blessedness, for salvation does not release us from the law of the Lord as revealed in the statutes and percepts delivered through Moses. Rather, the law is established as our standard. As Christians, we now have God's standard established for us, from the inside out. Salvation does not do away with the law; rather it establishes the law for us. Before, we had no standard except ourselves. Now God's law is our standard. Even the unsaved pagans are expected to follow God's standard of righteousness Leviticus 19:15 and 36. Paul has already established the fact that the pagans will also be judged according to the truth, Romans 2.
3. Isaiah 51 defines His salvation as His judgment against sin, eradicating sin (v. 4-6). Moreover, Isaiah 11:4 tells us that His righteous judgment against sin (the rod of his mount, which is His law-word) will result in the slaying of the wicked, the exaltation of righteousness and the earth being filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. (Revelation 1:16, 2:16, 19:15, 19:21)
Romans 5:10 continues with the idea of v. 9.
Paul has said that as sinners, we are justified, just as though we had never sinned. Then, as enemies, we are reconciled. That is, through Christ, God's eternal wrath against his people is appeased. The death of Christ is the sacrifice that satisfied divine justice. Sanctification is the natural result of justification. If no sanctification, there is no salvation, for if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. 2 Corinthians 7:17, Galatians 6:15.
Lesson on Sanctification. See Ryre.
We are now called friends of God:
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
On the other hand, I cannot identify any place where God is called our friend. That is to say, our fallen nature is still at war with God.
V. 10. As sinners, we were the objects of divine displeasure, but that displeasure has been taken out on his Son.
While sinners, we are justified; while enemies, we are reconciled. It does not say that when we were enemies, we laid aside our enmity against God, and became friends with God. It is God who became friends with us.
Reconciled by his death, saved by his life. All writers like to use parallel constructions, and Paul does so here.
Basically, Paul says that if while were enemies, we were restored to God's favor by the death of his Son. The fact that he now lives will certainly secure our final salvation. There are a great many verses that make this understanding clear. I will only give one:
Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
V. 11. There is more to the eternal salvation, of which we are assured. The benefits of redemption start here on earth. Salvation is not only deliverance from the wrath to come, but salvation includes joy and glory in the present favor and love of God.
We owe that joy and glory to Christ Jesus, because he is the one who secured our reconciliation to the Father. It is because of Christ that we have the blessedness promised back in chapter 4.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
V. 11 refers back to v. 2,
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Salvation begins here on earth, at the moment our conversion takes place.
April 10, 2011.
Romans 5:9, 10
Romans 5:9 and 10 go together. Paul tells us that as sinners, we are, first, justified. In Christ, God the Father now considers us just; that is, just as though we had never sinned. Then, as enemies of God, we are, second, reconciled; that is, through Christ, God's eternal wrath against his people is appeased. The death of Christ is the sacrifice that satisfied divine justice.
A third term not used by Paul at this point is sanctified.
Scripture is clear—sanctification is the natural result of justification. Paul is very clear: if there is no sanctification, there is no salvation, for if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. 2 Corinthians 7:17 & Galatians 6:15.
Sanctify or sanctification are common and important terms used througout scripture, but it is avoided by the natural man. Sanctification requires denial of the lust of the flesh, and holyness to God.
There are seven common terms in Scripture which point to the same thing—salvation, as used in both 9 & 10.
These seven terms were already well established in the Old Testament, so they were well known by the Jews of Paul's day. All of the terms are used by Paul in Romans, except regeneration, which he uses only in Titus 3:5:
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
We defined salvation in Romans 5:1-11. At this point, I want to define the six terms that point to salvation. Each deserves a lengthy examination, but I will only give quick overview of them before we look at the seventh, sanctification.
1) Redemption,
2) justification,
3) regeneration,
4) righteousness
5) holiness
6) reconciliation,
7) Sanctification.
Regardless of the term used, according to Scripture the end result of salvation in this life must be sanctification. Scripture is clear—If there is no sanctification, there can be no salvation.
Though we identify each of these terms in their New Testament context, they are by no means new. There is nothing new in the New Testament, except the new seal of the old covenant, that is, the blood of Christ. Christ did not change any of the moral laws of the old covenant.
Redemption means to free someone from bondage. It often involves the paying of a ransom, a price that makes redemption possible. The Israelites were redeemed from Egypt. We were redeemed from the power of sin and the curse of the Law #Ga 3:13 through Jesus; #Ro 3:24 Col 1:14 We were bought with a price; #1Co 6:20 7:23. (Dictionary of Theology The law itself is not a curse, but the penalty for breaking the law is the curse–death.)
Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Psalms 111:9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 14 [the Holy Spirit] is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
His people are redeemed through his blood. Christ's shed blood represents his death, which paid our death penalty.
Redemption has several parts:
First, forgiveness of sins.
Second, change of ownership. We have been redeemed. We have been purchased from the enemy of our souls. Christ, with his own blood, payed our sin debt. We are now under new ownership, with new responsibilities:
1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1 Corinthians 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
The change of ownership means a change of masters and desires; now rather than serving lusts and sin, we can serve the Lord by following and obeying him as his servant.
John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
Ephesians 6:6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
Third, redemption means that though we remain in the world, we are no longer part of the world.
John 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
Fourth, there is a final redemption coming when we will be removed from the presence of sin.
We can never be redeemed more than we were at conversion. There is no such thing as "progressive" redemption. That is, we do not become more redeemed as time goes on, and then completely redeemed at the end. However, we do increase in sancitification.
Nevertheless, one day we will be completely redeemed in the sense that we will leave this body of sin to dwell with Christ forever.
To be justified is to be made righteous. It is a divine act where God declares the sinner to be innocent of his sins. It is not that the sinner is now sinless, but that he is "declared" sinless. This justification is based on the shed blood of Jesus, "... having now been justified by His blood..." #Ro 5:9 When God sees the Christian, He sees him through the sacrifice of Jesus and "sees" him without sin. This declaration of innocence is not without cost for it required the satisfaction of God's Law, "... without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness". #Heb 9:22 By the sacrifice of Jesus, in the "one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men", #Ro 5:18 NASB. In justification, the justice of God fell upon Himself—Jesus. We receive mercy—we are not judged according to our sins. And grace is shed upon us—we receive eternal life. This justification is a gift of grace, #Ro 3:24 by faith #Ro 3:28 because Jesus bore our guilt. #Isa 53:12 (Dictionary of Theology.)
Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Job 25:4 How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Justification is a gift of free grace. It is freely provided through Christ. It is imputed to us through the saving faith of Christ. Again, there is no "progressive justification".
However, James makes it abundantly clear that justification produces good works, or sanctification. According to James, Faith without works is dead. That is, faith that does not produce good works is not a saving faith.
The act of God whereby He renews the spiritual condition of a sinner. It is a spiritual change brought about by the work of the Holy Spirit so that the person then possesses new life, eternal life. Regeneration is a change in our moral and spiritual nature where justification is a change in our relationship with God. Also, sanctification is the work of God in us to make us more like Jesus. Regeneration is the beginning of that change. It means to be born again. (Greek Lexicon)
Matthew 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
The Jewish idea of ruling with the King in the restored paradise that was lost in Adam, comes from Daniel chapter 7:
Daniel 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
The Jews were convinced that the rulers in that restored paradise would only be Jews, ruled by the Messiah. However, the term saints in Daniel refers to all those in Christ.
The only other time the word regeneration is used is by Paul in,
Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Essential to regeneration "is the idea of ‘washing,' referring probably to a cleansing, or separation from old associations, which is essential to the idea of regeneration." (Concise Dictionary, OLB)
Paul's context of regeneration is the new birth, which produces a new life dedicated to God, and a radical change of mind for the better. See Ephesians 4:23.
Christ said in John 3:3, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Then in John 3:7, Ye must be born again. Peter said in 1 Peter 1:23, Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 1 Peter 1:23.
Regeneration refers to the restoration of all things to their original conditions, as well as life after death. Regeneration results in a new life dedicated to God and a radical change of mind for the better. Regeneration refers to separation from old associations who are outside of Christ. Those who are regenerated have the desire to be sanctified, or more like Christ. Clearly, if that desire to be sanctified is not present, neither is redemption, for the two must go together.
"This root basically connotes conformity to an ethical or moral standard." And the standard is established by God's law, the Ten Commandments.
Romans 4:22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
Psalms 15:1 A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
No man can obtain to God's righteousness as established in his law, so God provided a means that we can be righteous enough to please him. That is the imputed righteousness of Christ, which we obtained through faith. Romans 4.
We have the imputed righteousness of Christ for our standing before God, but that imputed righteousness does not release us from righteous (right) actions according to God's commandments.
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: See also 1 John 2:29, 3:7, 10.
Righteousness thus has two parts.
First, the imputed righteousness of Christ, which allows us to come boldly before the Father's throne. Hebrews 4:16, 13:6
Second, we are to progress in righteous living. We are to be instructed in and grow in righteousness, or holiness. That is, we are to be identified more and more with God's ethical and moral standards as revealed to us in his law.
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
There is an interesting verse in Revelation 22:11.
A quality of perfection, sinlessness, and inability to sin that is possessed by God alone. As Christians we are called to be holy. #1Pe 1:16 But this does not refer to our nature. Instead, it is a command of our practice and thought. We are to be holy in obedience. #1Pe 1:14 God has made us holy through His Son Jesus; #Eph 1:4, 1Pe 2:9 (Dictionary of Theology)
Romans 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
Leviticus 20:7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.
1 Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Though we have the applied holiness of Christ, which enables us to boldly approach the Throne of Grace, we are not relieved from working toward a holy life. There is an imputed holiness and a progressive holiness, as we grow in holiness.
2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Is a change from enmity to friendship. It is mutual, i.e., it is a change wrought in both parties who have been at enmity.
Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Leviticus 8:15 And he slew it; and Moses took the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured the blood at the bottom of the altar, and sanctified it, to make reconciliation upon it.
Temporary reconciliation between God and man was accomplished in the Old Testament with the blood of bulls and goats. This temporary reconciliation was changed to permanent through the blood of Christ.
Reconciled is a common term in use today. Husbands & wives, parents & children, neighbor & neighbor, &c. These people who were at one time wading against one another are now at peace.
But there can be no true reconciliation between man and man until there is reconciliation with God. War against God results in war against our fellow man.
Sanctification
We have defined the various Scriptural words that point to salvation:
1) Redemption,
2) justification,
3) regeneration,
4) righteousness
5) holiness
6) reconciliation,
All of these words point to another term,
7) Sanctification.
To sanctify means to be set apart for a holy use. God has set us apart for the purpose of sanctification not impurity #1Th 4:7 and being such we are called to do good works. #Eph 2:10
Sanctification follows justification. In justification our sins are completely forgiven in Christ. Sanctification is the process by which the Holy Spirit makes us more like Christ in all that we do, think, and desire. True sanctification is impossible apart from the atoning work of Christ on the cross because only after our sins are forgiven can we begin to lead a holy life. (Dictionary of Theology, OLB)
Romans 15:16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
Leviticus 20:7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.
Peter Identifies Leviticus 20:7 as a Christian responsibility, 1 Peter 1:15, 19.
1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
It matters not how loudly nor firmly someone claims to be a Christian, if the new creature is not evident in the life, they are not in Christ.
I do not know how many people I have met who claim to be saved, yet their lives are anything but what is required of Christians. Here is part of an e mail I received from Rich Salzer, 3/30/11:
I am going to a liberal Preterist Church in Virginia Beach, Va.... Every time I bring up the subject of the Khazars (Tom says you cover this well in D.o.t.C.V.), he gets squeemish. He also said in the Q & A session last week, when one of our I-Net listeners e-mailed in that it doesn't matter if somebody is a homosexual, as long as they are saved? What?! Can you believe it? I almost walked out then. I mean, I like the guy, but he says many complimentary things about the khazars all the time and doesn't differentiate between biblical Judeans and modern day 'jews'. I really hoped I had found THE church for me, but I need your OPINE if you know ... and what I should do. Sigh...
Rich Salzer c/o, Historical Review Library
It seems that the average professor of Christ seems to think that if someone says he or she is a Christian, then sodomy, adultery, fornication, as well as lying and cheating are OK.
As I have previously pointed out:
1 Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
The world sees no conflict with professed Christians being involved in fornication, adultery and sodomy. However, the word of God is clear that those who continue in these practices shall not inherit the kingdom of God. They are not Christian, no matter how nice they may act in public, nor how much we might like them.
Society has promoted these sins as an alternative life-styles, but they are sinful life styles that shall result in an eternity in the lake of fire:
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Throughout Scripture, sanctified means set apart for God's glory and use. The word referred to days, sabbaths, physical property, such as houses and real property. Lev. 27:15, 19. Both Testaments have the same requirement upon God's people:
2 Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master 's use, and prepared unto every good work. (Personal responsibility. Lev. 8:30)
We see the importance of sanctification as applies to the believer in the fact that the word is used 21 times in the New Testament.
The means of sanctification is given by our Lord:
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth
Sanctification means, among other things, abstaining from fornication, lust, and immoral desires, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8. Sanctification grows in obedience.
We grow in sanctification, as a baby grows in obedience to his parents, 1 Peter 1:22. Birth places that child in that family, and then the child is to grow in obedience to the rules of his family as established by the father.
The believer has the imputed righteousness of Christ at salvation, but there is no scriptural evidence that Christ imputes his sanctification to the believer. The believer has been sanctified in the sense of set apart for God's use. Then the Spirit gives the believer the grace, or the desire and power to further sanctify himself. Sanctification comes as a step by step increase, and according to Paul, many times through great trials and tribulations. Romans 5:1-5.
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
At the beginning of being the new creature in Christ, our obedience to the Heavenly Father is incomplete, for we do not yet know what is fully expected of us by our new parent. As we learn through proper training in his word, we become more sanctified; that is, more like the image of Christ. Romans 8:29.
This process can be identified as progressive sanctification.
Sanctification is a life-long process which starts at Christian Conversion. Sanctification is accomplished by studying God's word, and then living out what is revealed from that study.
Our initial setting apart for God's use is only the beginning of sanctification, for sanctification is a life long growth in obedience.
Redemption and justification means we are saints before God, but sanctification means we appear more and more as saints before men.
If the Bible is true, it is certain that unless we are "sanctified," we shall not be saved.
There are many strange doctrines that have developed over the subject of sanctification.
Some have confused it with justification, saying we are fully sanctified at salvation.
Some ignore it under the pretense of zeal for free grace.
Others misunderstand sanctification, and when they fail to attain it, waste their time seeking it, jumping from church to church, sect to sect, hoping they will find what they understand sanctification to be.
"set apart" for God's use was commonly used in the Old Testament—the Tabernacle furnishings were sanctified.. Paul applies this Old Testament usage in Romans 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
God has set aside a particular people for his own use, for his good pleasure.
Sanctification is that inward spiritual work which the Lord Jesus Christ works in us by the Holy Ghost. That work started when he called us to true faith in Christ. Little by little, sanctification separates us from or natural love of sin and the world. It puts a new rule in our heart, and motivates us to learn and work toward the holiness of God as found in his word.
The work of sanctification is accomplished by the Holy Spirit whom we received at salvation. The Spirit tries to work sanctification through God's word. But I know in my life, it seems that the only way I can grow is through the tribulations as mentioned in Romans 5:1-5.
Those who think that Jesus Christ lived and died and rose again only to provide the means to heaven need to read the Scriptures. They have completely missed God's message, and probably even missed salvation.
Redemption is a call to obedience to the word of God, through sanctification of the Spirit.
1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Christ provides for his people everything their souls require. Not only has he delivered us from the guilt and penalty of sin by his death, but he has delivered us from the power and dominion of sin through the indwelling spirit. That is, sanctification.
John 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Sanctify.)
1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Colossians 1:22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
Justification is an immediate result of faith, while sanctification is a progressive result, but the two must go together. Justification starts the process of sanctification.
But sanctification has been greatly corrupted by those who say, "You are a Christian now, and cannot lose your salvation". And thus they tell their followers that they are assured of eternal life though they continue in their worldly ways.
Salvation must result in a new desire to live holy even as the Heavenly Father is holy.
The next section in Romans 5 is vv. 12-21
When I studied this passage as Paul presents it to the Romans, I saw something different than what I have taught. It may be a little confusing, but stick with me.
Paul now illustrates the doctrine of justification. He shows how justification passes to man through Christ. It passes the same way that condemnation passes to man through Adam.
Notice how Paul's words here are divided.
V. 12, then vv. 13-17 are in (**), and Paul picks it up in v. 18.
Vv. 12, 18 & 19 go together, so we will look at them that way.
As we do, we must remember that the comparison is between Adam the sinner and Christ the Righteous. Paul will show us that Adam is the cause of sin in the same manner that Christ is the cause of righteousness.
Sin already existed before Adam, so it was through Adam that sin entered into mankind, and mankind became sinners. As sin entered, so did death enter, and death passed upon all men. Sin is an individual act.
1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
With Adam, sin became the ruling power or principle in the heart of man. By ruling man, sin now rules the world. Sin lies in the heart of every person, and reveals itself in his general conduct.
Paul has been telling the Romans that through faith, righteousness is to rule in the heart of the redeemed. Though his actions are always tainted with sin, his goal must be righteous conduct.
Vv. 12 & 18, 19, it was through Adam, Sin entered into the world and gave man a disobedient nature. Through Adam, man's whole nature became corrupt with guilt, depravity and actual transgression. Through Adam, man became guilty and exposed to judgment and condemnation, or death, both physical and eternal.
God gave our first parents a choice with a promise, either life or death. Adam's sin, or transgression of God's word, became the cause of death, or the reason for death. The same choice with a promise is for all of his posterity.
Deuteronomy 30:15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; 16 In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in...
Jeremiah 21:15 ¶ See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; 16 In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in
Proverbs 11:19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
V. 12. Through Adam, death passed on all men as the necessary results of sin. Paul is connecting Adam's sin with the death of all men. Death reaches all men, because all have sinned in Adam. Sin, and therefore death, is universal because of Adam.
Vv. 18, 19, as Adam's offence, or disobedience made all men sinners and subject to death, so Christ's obedience brings righteousness to many. The comparison is between the first man, Adam and the second man, the Lord from heaven, Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:47.
V. 18, the emphasis is on free gift, which Paul has been presenting all alone.
Note the parallel passage again in v. 19. many were made sinners, man be made righteous.
Vv. 12, 18, 19. Death... The comparison is between Adam and Christ.
All of that to say this:
Paul is telling the Romans that condemnation and death is caused by Adam's sin, and not by our own sin. The same as Christ's righteous is the cause of our life, not our own righteousness. If we say that all men are condemned and die because of their own sins, then we must say that men may live because of their own righteousness.
The comparison is between Adam and Christ.
Paul has laid a very firm foundation for the gospel, saying that the hope of God's people is only in the righteousness found by faith in Christ, totally apart from any "righteous" works we might do.
As the act of one man, Adam, condemned all to death, the act of one man, Christ, justifies many to life.
We do not know nor could we understand the inner workings of what Paul is saying. The only way we might understand might be as an agent acting for those he represents.
Adam, acting for all his posterity, sinned. His sin was an act for all men, and the death penalty passed upon all. Then in like manner, Christ's, acting as agent for the Elect, righteousness was passed on to many.
Accordingly, all men died with Adam, the same as we were Crucified with Christ, and even now live with him, which is the only way this passage in Romans will fit.
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
We fell when Adam fell; we rose when Christ rose.
Vv. 12, 18, 19. In the legal since before God, the same as Adam's sin brought death to all men, Christ's righteousness brings justification to his elect. Adam's sin is regarded as our own, as Christ's righteousness is regarded as our own.
V. 18, through the disobedience of one we are accounted as sinners, yet by the obedience of one, we are accounted as just.
Adam's sin is imputed to all mankind, the same as Christ's righteousness is imputed to the redeemed. The two must go hand in hand, or we have no gospel.
V. 15, if we die on Adam's account, how much more shall we live on Christ's account?
Vv. 13-17 & 20, 21, can be summed up in short order. The law reveals the width and depth of sin, and its control of us and of the world. Though the results of Adam's sin abound, the grace of God through Christ's righteousness abounds much more. As the song goes, Grace is Greater than all our sins. "Grace, Grace".
This understanding is supported by 6:1.