Because Abraham got it right, with his faith that is, we are one of his many sons (and daughters). Before going any farther, look up the Sunday school song on YouTube about father Abraham in how he had many sons. I am hoping that tune gets stuck in your head and you dance a little while praising God.
We know from the last study blog that Abraham had consistent faith which never weakened or wavered. He believed whole-heartedly. I’m not sure about you, but I struggle with this kind of consistency. I am like a roller coaster when it comes to my faith; up and down, up and down.
Today’s study is rather joyful! Paul is going to show us what life looks like when we believe like Abraham. Go ahead and read Romans 5.
Don’t you love how Paul begins? We have been made right with God because of Jesus Christ. How does this happen? It is by faith. And what do we receive because of it? We have peace with God. Bask in these golden nuggets of truth and let God move your soul.
ASK YOURSELF: From verse 2, what happens when you have faith?
Don’t miss this. We have undeserved privilege with God! And because of this, we are confident and joyful as we share in God’s glory. This is great news!
We can rejoice too.
Wow! Our day keeps getting better with this uplifting news.
ASK YOURSELF: When can you rejoice, according to verse 3? Does this surprise you? What is the purpose for problems and trials, according to verses 3-4?
And this hope will not lead to disappointment. Notice what we are learning from believing like Abraham, we will know, for certain, that God loves us and He gives us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with love.
ASK YOURSELF: What is God saying to you from these first five verses? Is your cup filling up to the brim with how amazing God is and what He has done for you? Believe it, because it is true!
Reread verses 6-11. Let’s review what we know about Jesus and who we are before and after Christ:
1. We are utterly helpless in our sin.
2. God showed us His love by sending Christ to die for us while we we were still sinners, enemies of God.
3. We have been made right with God by the blood of Jesus.
4. We deserve God’s condemnation.
5. Friendship with God has been restored. We are saved because of Christ.
6. What is our response to this good news? We are to rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God.
ASK YOURSELF: What is God saying to you from knowing these six facts?
Paul moves us on to another aspect in understanding what Jesus did for us. This next study section covers verses 12-21. We are going to study the difference between Adam and Jesus. We see death through Adam vs. life through Christ.
ASK YOURSELF: What was Adam’s part to the dilemma that has plagued our world? Look at verses 12, 15-19.
ASK YOURSELF: How is Jesus the antidote to our dilemma? Look at verses 15-19 and see how Jesus is God’s gracious gift to mankind. Look back at numbers 1 and 4 from the list above to help you respond to this gift.
The last two verses, 20-21, refer to the Ten Commandments.
ASK YOURSELF: Why were the Ten Commandments given to us?
Here, we see God shine the brightest in His love for us. The more we realize the depravity of our sin, God’s wonderful grace becomes more abundant. I hope this makes you have warm fuzzies all over. We deserve death yet God says, “Nope. Not on my watch. I love you more than the stars in the sky or grains of sand on all the beaches in the world. What I originally had planned for you back in the Garden was usurped by the devil. He lied and deceived. His final judgment day is coming. Until that day unfolds, I sent my Son to die for you and He kicked down death’s door when I raised Him back to life. All you have to do is believe and receive my gift of Love.”
ASK YOURSELF: What is the result from believing and receiving Christ, see verse 21?
One day, my friends, we will be worshiping Jesus in heaven! It will be a grand time. God says it will be so great that we cannot comprehend how awesome it will be. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.”
Let’s bask in God, shall we? Let’s bask in who we are right now when the blood of Jesus is upon us! We are holy, righteous and redeemed. We are called. We are lathered from head to toe in love. We are joyful for God’s grace is upon us. He declares us not guilty from any wrong doing. What a crazy and twisted way to show someone that they love you.
I will end it here, Jesus loves you.
Carol J German 