Death And Life: Romans 5:8-11 Part Two
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (All Scripture quotes-ESV)
What does it mean that we were enemies?
Being someone’s enemy doesn’t mean not being a friend, or having some disagreement. Being an enemy indicates being in the other camp, or on the other side when the line is drawn. It may be active enmity with hatred or hostility in word or in deed-or it may be passive. It still puts us on the other side.
So who are God’s enemies? The Bible tells us -Sinners. God has hostility towards evil and sin because of His holiness. Romans 3:23 says we are all sinners.
The World appeals to our focus on pleasure without regard to others or to the things of God. Romans 8:6-8 says
In James 4:4 we see the danger in caring more for the things of this world, than for the things of God-
There is no middle ground.
But it doesn’t stop there-as enemies of God we face His wrath & judgment. This is not out of some pettiness on God’s part. It is because of His holiness, and ultimately to the good of His people. God’s love and His wrath are not mutually exclusive. Many people emphasize one at the expense of the other.
In Romans 5:10 we see God loving those under wrath—and taking steps to save them, through reconciliation. In part 3 we'll look at that reconciliation.
(Part one is here.)
What does it mean that we were enemies?
Being someone’s enemy doesn’t mean not being a friend, or having some disagreement. Being an enemy indicates being in the other camp, or on the other side when the line is drawn. It may be active enmity with hatred or hostility in word or in deed-or it may be passive. It still puts us on the other side.
So who are God’s enemies? The Bible tells us -Sinners. God has hostility towards evil and sin because of His holiness. Romans 3:23 says we are all sinners.
The World appeals to our focus on pleasure without regard to others or to the things of God. Romans 8:6-8 says
To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
In James 4:4 we see the danger in caring more for the things of this world, than for the things of God-
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
There is no middle ground.
But it doesn’t stop there-as enemies of God we face His wrath & judgment. This is not out of some pettiness on God’s part. It is because of His holiness, and ultimately to the good of His people. God’s love and His wrath are not mutually exclusive. Many people emphasize one at the expense of the other.
In Romans 5:10 we see God loving those under wrath—and taking steps to save them, through reconciliation. In part 3 we'll look at that reconciliation.
(Part one is here.)
Labels: Bible, reconciliation, salvation, sin
posted by pilgrim at 10:53 PM
2 Comments:
Nice post. I'd suggest one small qualification to what you've said here. When you say God's enemies are sinners, it might be best to distinguish them as unregenerate sinners.
Even those in Christ are sinners, yet we are forgiven, and our sins have been set upon Christ and He has taken the wrath we deserve upon Himself.
Good clarification--although I do believe the context states as much--as I point out the text says we were enemies and then we aren't--but good point.
Thanks for stopping by.
And check back for parts 3& 4 (and psosibly part 5 depending how I break up my original material.)
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