God commendeth his love to us while we were yet sinners

Sermon notes from 23 March 2017

Romans 5 verses 1 – 12, 20 – 21

As we know the great theme of the book of Romans is the gospel.  Paul says he was “separated unto the gospel of Christ” (Chapter 1 verse 1).  When Paul comes to chapter 4 he sets forth the principles of justification, then in chapter 5 verse 1 he says “therefore”.  We have to ask the question – what is there for?  Paul brings us back to the previous chapter and the great theme of the gospel is being continued.  Chapter 5 gives us 4 simple headings.

Man’s condition is described.  God’s view as he looks down on mankind – how does he see us?  Verse 6 “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”  Man cannot save himself.  He cannot deliver himself from all he has got himself into.  You might have tried to save yourself but we are weak in regards to salvation.  When the enemy comes against us we have to stand in the strength of the Lord because we are weak.  God says “when we are weak” – he doesn’t know what your weakness is tonight but the devil knows.  You would love to give up the battle but you cannot.  Man is also described as wicked.  “Christ died for the ungodly”.  We read of Achan’s wickedness in the Old Testament, he had no control over it, nor had he any concern for the God of heaven.  “The heart of man is deceitful and desperately wicked, no one can know it.”  Without God a man is ungodly.  We are without God and without hope, outside the family and fold of God.  Not only described as weak and wicked but also wayward.  “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  “All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to our own way.”  We want to be in charge, don’t want to be controlled by anyone.  Man is also described as being at war with God.  “For if, when we were enemies” verse 10.  It is like sometimes we rebel against God in our sin.  Enemies of God – wayward and we are also under the wrath of God.  John 3 verse 36 “he that hath the son hath life but he that hath not the son hath not life.”  In verse 18 we read that we are condemned already.  This is how man’s condition is described in these verses.  It is not a pretty picture.  Maybe you are happy as you are.  This book describes you as unsaved.  You are under the wrath and judgment of God.

God’s love is displayed.  Romans 5 verse 8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  What kind of love is this?  That Christ would ever leave the splendours of heaven, to be despised, rejected at Calvary.  That he would lay down his life for me?  It is unexplainable.  It is a love that passes all understanding.  Love is demonstrated for us at Calvary.  You might wonder if God really loves you.  Just look at Calvary.  Even while we were sinners – why should the God of heaven love me?  We can explain our love for him – we love him because he first loved us.  The Psalmist could say “I love the Lord because he heard my supplication.”  A love that cannot be explained.  It is a universal love.  There is not a person in all the world God doesn’t love.  It doesn’t matter what you have done in life God loves you.  “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”  “There is no love like the love of Jesus, never to fade.”  “And he is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2 verse 2)  An atoning sacrifice, for the sins of the whole world.  Not one person is excluded.  We can pick and choose who we love but with God there is no difference.  It is an unconditional love.  There is nothing that we have done that would ever make God love us any less or nothing we could do to make him love us any more.  That is one of God’s great attributes.  God is love.  1 Corinthians 13 verse 13 “now abideth faith, hope, charity (love) these three; but the greatest of these is charity (love).”  It will last right throughout eternity.

Calvary’s outcome declared.  “Being justified by faith …”  Being justified by his love – verse 5.  Justified means just as if I had never sinned.  A brand new start, starting over afresh.  The moment we trust in Christ that is salvation.  Salvation in the past, present and future.  The moment we trust Christ we are saved, we are being saved day by day.  Sanctification means being set apart unto God.  Saved from the power of sin.  When it comes to the end of our life being saved means we will be in the presence of God.  We are saved the moment we trust Christ, justified, but being saved day by day from the power of sin also.  Justification is one of the outcomes.  We also have peace with God.  To know the account is settled, to know you have made your peace with God.  The old account has been settled.  Christ made peace by the blood of the cross.  When the Lord came into this world the angels appeared in the clouds saying “peace and goodwill to all men.”  He is the Prince of Peace.  Before he left this earth he told his disciples “peace I give unto you not as the world giveth.”  Peace of heart and peace of mind, being able to put your head on the pillow knowing all is in God’s hands.  Justification and peace with God.  We have access by faith in this grace where we stand.  We can come into the goodness of God and the grace of God has opened the door.  You and I are invited to come into his presence.  The invitation goes out through the great gospel message.  Rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  It is a sure hope, a guaranteed hope.  If you have Christ in your heart you are guaranteed a place in heaven.  The little phrase “and not only also” is repeated throughout this chapter.  The moment a man or woman trusts Christ the Holy Spirit enters and we are born of God.  “Saved from wrath through him” - verse 9.  In verse 10 we are “reconciled to God” and in verse 11 we have “joy in God”.  You should be praising God because of what he has done for you.

Our response is demanded.  There is a responsibility that comes to us to believe the gospel message.  God has done everything he can.  He has opened the door.  “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”  We cannot be saved by ourselves.  The word “believe” is mentioned over 100 times in John’s gospel.  John 1 verse 12 “but as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”  “These things are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that believing ye might have life through his name.” (John 20 verse 31)  God forgave me all my sins.  If you come to Christ he will not cast you away.  The plea goes out to all mankind – come and have salvation, come and be justified.  God wants to bless you more than you could ever want to be blessed but your responsibility is to exercise faith today.