By Robert Olsen, Ph.D.
Professor of Historical Theology and Director of Intercultural Studies, University of Mobile
RESTORED RELATIONSHIP
Romans 5:1–11, 18–21
A New Peace (1–5)
Peace comes to us because of the reconciliation we have with Christ through faith. Our salvation is because of what Christ has done for us on the cross, not what we can do.
As humans we understand the concept of earning something. We work; we get paid. Many people apply this understanding to salvation.
They think that if they do enough or follow the commands of God they will be saved. It is easy to understand this way of thinking, but the glory of the gospel is that it is not like that. By trusting in Christ’s death on our behalf, we have salvation because Christ’s righteousness is applied to us. This is the good news of the gospel.
Paul highlights that since we have been made right with God, we can face suffering and hardship because we know our eternal destiny. This is what has allowed Christians to face death throughout history.
We no longer need to fear death because we know we will be with Christ.
This should motivate us to have joy in the midst of our trials. In fact, Christianity has often spread because of how Christians have faced suffering.
A Proven Love (6–11)
Since the fall of man in Genesis 3, the natural state of mankind is one of enmity with God. We see this every day in how people across cultures do evil things that violate the commands of God.
The idea that mankind is naturally good, which is taught by many mainstream philosophies, makes no sense when faced with reality.
So if people are in fact evil and rail against God, what hope is there for us?
The good news is that even though we were evil, Christ died for us. That fact is mind-boggling. That Jesus would die for humans, all of whom are evil, is what makes Christianity such a unique religion. Because of this reconciliation accomplished by Christ, Christians now rejoice.
Instead of God just wiping us out, which we deserve, He died for us in our place. I often think of how this is beautifully summed up in Charles Wesley’s hymn “And Can It Be, That I Should Gain?” It says, “Amazing love! How can it be/ That Thou, my God, should die for me!” This baffles the nonbeliever.
What God loves His creatures so much that He would take their place and die so that they may have eternal life? The Christian God does.
A Growing Grace (18–21)
Paul points out that Adam’s sin was a curse that has impacted all of mankind. This is called original sin. We are now all affected and maimed by sin.
The law highlights sin and shows us our faults. Instead of this being bad news, this is actually good news because it shows that we need a remedy. If we had to obey the law, we would spend our lives trying to do what it demands.
We would be focused on our own works and spend our lives trying to be good enough, trying to be perfect. However, the law shows us our faults so that we look for the solution from outside of ourselves.
Paul shows us that Jesus’ atoning death on the cross is the answer. Christians accept this good news of salvation, and we share it with others so that they too may come to know the joy of reconciliation with the God of the universe.
EDITOR’S NOTE — The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
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