November 25 - Romans 5:1-8:17

Good morning everyone,

Am I the only one that has to take Romans slow and think, “What did he just say?” I’m telling you, this book being so rich and is very deep. There are, though, many verses in today’s reading that most of us are familiar with. One that caught my eye was, 5:19, “For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.”

Everyone of our genealogy’s would trace back to Adam, a family line leading to certain death. We have all inherited his guilt and sinful nature and the consequence that comes with that. But Jesus, oh how I love that phrase, “But Jesus”, because of his obedience we can trade a life apart from God for forgiveness which leads to eternal life. The choice is ours.

I was also warmed and encouraged by 8:1-2, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” I want to share a story, an analogy, that I heard several times over a decade while going to Calvary Chapel. It paints a beautifully accurate picture of Christ’s love for us and how our debt has been paid. It goes:

Satan is the great accuser of the saints. Jesus is the great defender of the saints. They are in heaven waging a relentless courtroom battle for our souls. On one side stands Satan as “the accuser” pointing a finger accusing the saints day and night before our God sitting at the great white throne. On the other side stands Jesus as “our esteemed high priest” who has passed through the heavens, who indeed is interceding for us”. Both are passionately arguing their case before God the judge.

Satan is unrolling his endless scroll of charges against us. Maybe he’s talking about you right now. Maybe he’s talking about me. He’s reminding God of our past sins. He’s highlighting our present sins. He’s questioning our motives. He’s suggesting and speculating and slandering and accusing.

We cannot defend ourselves. Mainly because Satan is right, we have broken God’s law excessively and we deserve severe punishment. Satan desperately rages against us and demands that God exercise justice and judgment. God says, “You’re right, the wages of sin is death.”

Then Jesus our defender steps up, visible the scars on his head and back from the crown of thorns and scourging, also the scars on his hands and feet where He hung on a cross until dead. Bearing these scars He stands before His Father, our Father. He shows them to Abba and says, “They’re debt is paid for, cancelled, let them live.” God nods His head, pounds His gavel while giving and order of acquittal.

Great analogy, right? Elvina M. Hall wrote a song called “Jesus Paid It All”. I am going to share the last two verses as they seem so appropriate this morning. They go:

When from my dying bed, My ransomed soul shall rise, Jesus died my soul to save, Shall rend the vaulted skies. I stand in Him complete, I’ll lay my trophies down, All down at Jesus’ feet.

Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

And all God’s people said ….. Amen!

Have a great day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all….