256 - Les Feldick Bible Study Lesson 1 - Part 4 - Book 22 - Romans Chapter 5 - Part 2

https://lesfeldickbiblestudy.com Through the Bible with Les Feldick LESSON 1 * PART 4 * BOOK 2 ROMANS CHAPTER 5 In the last lesson we commented on verse 15 and 16, so let's read them once again before going into verse 17. Remember, Paul wrote as he was moved by the Holy Spirit. I've always stressed Paul's Apostleship for the Church Age as compared with Christ's earthly ministry and the Four Gospels. So Paul's words are still the words of Jesus, only now in the time that's most appropriate - post Resurrection. Romans 5:15,16 For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many (in other words all that will believe)." "And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift (in other words, as Adam plunged the human race into condemnation with his act of sin, so Christ has lifted the human race, by virtue of death on the Cross): for the judgment was by one to condemnation (every one is under that condemnation), but the free gift is of many offences unto justification." I don't want anyone who has heard me teach these first few chapters of Romans ever forget this word "Justification." Now let's move on into verse 17. Romans 5:17a "For if by one man's offence (Adam's) death reigned (as a king) by one (because of Adam); much more..." Do you see how Paul is constantly driving home the Grace of God, which is going to compensate for the fall of Adam, is greater than anything Adam did? If God would makes us do something almost impossible for our Salvation then that would be different, but He doesn't. So Salvation is not something that people have to obtain or work for or grasp at, but rather it's right in front of every human being. Romans 5:17 "For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign (not like old death does, but now we're going to reign forever) in life by one, Jesus Christ." So as Adam was the federal head of the human race, and he plunged everyone into a place of condemnation, the second Adam, Jesus Christ has accomplished everything that is necessary to bring fallen man back to Himself. Now verse 18. That means God wants us to get it straight. God isn't winking at man's sins. Romans 5:18 Now remember, Paul always writes to the believer. Ephesians 2:1-3 Now verse 4. Oh, we were the children of wrath, and disobedience, we were enemies of God, but what happened? Ephesians 2:4,5a "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins (we were filthy with sin), hath quickened us (made us alive) together with Christ,..." When Christ was on the Cross God saw you and I there with Him. Ephesians 2:6 Ephesians 2:7,8 Ephesians 2:9 " Not of works, lest any man should boast." God has the next step in our life as a believer and that is: Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship (we're the result of actually a recreation of God Himself, so we become a workmanship), in Christ Jesus unto good works (absolutely we're to let the world understand where we're coming from. We've been created for good works), which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." What kind of a man was Abraham in the eyes of his contemporaries? Now for the next few moments let's go back Romans Chapter 5. Romans 5:18 "Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life." The Scripture repeats all of this and I'm repeating it, because God want us to understand and not be in a fog about it whatsoever, that the moment we believe the finished work of the Cross, God has justified us by virtue of His shed Blood. He has declared us "Just as if we have never sinned." When you understand you're declared a justified person by an act of God, it must have an effect. Romans 5:19 Now for a moment let's go to the Book of Philippians Chapter 2. Absolutely, Christ was obedient. Here we have that in Christ in verse 5: Philippians 2:5-8 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God (He was equal with God); But made himself of no reputation (Who made Him that way? Romans 5:20 "Moreover the law entered (that was 2500 years after Adam), that the offence might abound (the Law entered so that God could get control of sinful men. The Law showed how sinful man really was. It has no saving power, or no power of justification whatsoever; it shows us our sins). But where sin abounded (by the time that Christ came in His first advent the whole world was steeped in idolatry, and paganism, and sin abounded. #LesFeldick #BibleStudy #Bible