Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 7 - Much more then, being now justified)

Start this lesson series here: 
Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 1)

Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 7 - Much more then, being now justified)

If you have been following this study, you should be well aware that we have been looking at justification, which is the first step of the broader term called salvation. Romans 5 is a transitional chapter that moves us out of Romans 1 to 4, concerning justification, and into Romans 6 to 8, which leads us into the beginning of sanctification. 

Word statistics in the KJV helps to confirm this fact because it is interesting to note that if you search for all spelling variants of justification, there are 29 entries scattered about in Paul's epistles. Out of those 29, 25 of them are in Romans and Galatians, and 4 additional entries in the rest of his epistles. In Romans there are 17 matches where 15 are in Romans chapters 1 to 5 and 2 in Romans 8. There are 8 in Galatians, because Paul's letter to them is to do with correcting their wayward understanding of salvation: see Gal.3:2-3. The point I'm making is that the believer is educated in the foundational understanding of justification in Romans, and then corrected in its practice in Galatians. So, barring these two books, Paul never teaches directly about justification again, because a believer, even by the end of Romans 5, should have settled on the truth of justification and moved past this serving of 'milk', into 'meatier' truths in the curriculum of Paul's doctrine.

As mentioned in the closing statements of part 6, I'd like to expound on something important in Paul's closing statements concerning justification. Let's first read the passage and then I want to provide some interesting insights in these verses,

Rom 5:8  But God commendeth [entrusts, commits] his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  (9)  MUCH MORE then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be SAVED FROM WRATH through him.  (10)  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, MUCH MORE, being reconciled, we shall be SAVED BY HIS LIFE.  (11)  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 6 - Therefore being Justified by Faith)

Start this lesson series here: 
Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 1)

Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 6 - Therefore being Justified by Faith)

When you believed the message of the grace gospel, you acknowledged your sins and put your trust in the fact that the cross of Christ was the propitiation [appeasement, satisfactory fulfilment] that was made on your behalf, allowing God to remain just, while justifying you freely through that sacrifice, Rom.3:26. The moment you did that, your soul became redeemed and is now at peace with God, Rom.5:1. Being justified became the FIRST STEP of your salvation, as we will learn in upcoming parts of this study. 

• What is the significance of justification? Well, you can spend the rest of your life in that justified state and still be saved, even if you never learn and receive the rest of God’s salvation. 

This expression above is a biblically qualified fact, based on what we have already learned. However, even though this statement is true, it is not where we should stop and rest on those laurels. There is more to salvation and God would desire that we press on in our learning of Paul’s doctrine, Php.3:14, as much more blessings and glory are there for us to receive by the grace of God, as we will learn in Rom.5:10.

Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 5 - A Transition is at Hand)

Start this lesson series here: 
Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 1)

Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 5 - A Transition is at Hand)

Romans chapter 5 is a chapter of transition. It concludes the topic of justification, and it introduces a new topic; that of sanctification, which is the next step in the broader understanding of salvation. The primary purpose of this study is actually to expound on the content of Romans 6 to 8, which I cannot wait to get into, but let me draw important attention to the fact that none of the information in chapters 6 to 8 would mean a thing if one skips over Romans 1 to 4. One cannot be saved without Romans 1-4. One cannot start to walk after the Spirit and bear the fruits of the Spirit if one ignores the gospel and disregards justification.

So, with this said, let me remind you what we have already covered from Romans 1 to 4 with the few points listed below. I want you to remember these points because we will not be returning to them in Romans. Once Paul concludes justification in Rom.5:11, he does not expound it again in this epistle. It becomes a settled fact, and Paul expects you to take the next step upwards and press on to higher revelation.

Be careful of bad understanding and bad advice concerning our grace doctrine

Be careful of bad understanding and bad advice concerning our grace doctrine

The following post is in response to a comment made on one of my posts in this lesson series concerning the process of salvation. A comment like this is a good illustration of the lack of good biblical knowledge and understanding concerning our grace doctrine today. These types of comments, although they have a measure of truth, are also harmful, as they can make people ignorant of truth and rob them of knowledge and inheritance. 

In my reply, I will prove that there is more to salvation than just what this comment suggests. If you truly believe that the Bible is God’s words and instruction to us, and if you truly believe that God has done much more for you through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ than ‘just saving you from hell’, then I appeal to you to read my rely and go and do a study on Romans and Ephesians that clearly shows the value and greater truth of salvation than just the first step of escaping the flames. God has SO MUCH MORE for you if you simply turn to His word, read it, and believe it.

Social media comment on one of my posts:

SALVATION IS A GIFT – NOT PROGRESSIVE

My response to the above comment:

Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 4 - He staggered not, but was strong in faith)

Start this lesson series here: 
Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 1)

Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 4 - He staggered not, but was strong in faith)

Rom 4:3-5  For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

In the beginning of Romans, Paul appealed to us (the reader of his epistles) that we should have faith in ‘the faith’; our doctrine that God inspired Paul to write, that contains the principles which should govern our lives. We should have faith not only in the words he wrote, but we ought to have faith that they are the very words of God, 1Cor.14:37; God’s will for us, His desires for us, the way He wants us to walk and function as members of the Body of Christ.

Now, in chapter four of Romans, after having delivered the doctrine of justification: concerning the wrath of God, concerning His righteousness and justice, and concerning His love for us through His Son, Paul writes to us of faith, again, appealing to us to have faith in the gospel, in like manner that Abraham had faith in God, believing that He was able to do what He promised Abraham,

Rom 4:20  He [Abraham] staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;  (21)  And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.  (22)  And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 3 - God's Wrath, Righteousness, and Love)

Start this lesson series here: 
Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 1)

Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 3 - God's Wrath, Righteousness, and Love)

Paul starts his exposition of the grace gospel with reference to the wrath of God in Rom.1:18,

Rom.1:18-19  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;  (19)  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

Why does Paul do this? Isn't the gospel supposed to be 'good news'? What is so good about knowing about God's wrath? Well, this question has two answers,

1. God's wrath cannot and shouldn't be ignored. It is a true and very important fact to know.
2. God's wrath brings value to the sacrifice of Christ, and confirmation of His great love for us.

If one had to share the gospel with someone, they'd only have half the gospel if you only shared the cross, the resurrection, and God's love. These aspects are emphasized by the fact that God despises and cannot tolerate sin, and the fact that we are sinners, qualifies us utterly to be the recipients of His righteous and horrific wrath. As utterly loving and forgiving God is towards us, we can expect no less than His utter vengeance and righteous wrath upon us for our rebellion.