The Showcase Showdown | Romans 5

Summary

In Romans 5, Paul reveals one prize after another for knowing Jesus Christ. Before Christ, we were enemies of God and at war with him, but through Jesus, the war with God is over, and we now live in a realm where grace reigns. In Christ, no pain is ever wasted, all pain has purpose, and peace, hope, and love are already ours because the price was right in Christ.

Key Takeaways

• Peace with God is yours. We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Before Jesus, we were enemies of God. Through faith, the war with God is over and we will never be his enemy again.
• His presence is yours. Through Jesus, we have access to God himself. You are never alone. Spiritually, you constantly live in a realm where grace reigns, which means God is with you and for you at all times.
• His pleasure is yours. God doesn’t just love you; he likes you now. He delights in you. He smiles thinking of you. You belong to him, and he takes pleasure in that.
• His pronouncements are yours. You are clean. You are God’s child. You are new. You are forgiven. These are spiritual realities secured by Christ.
• His plans are yours. God is in control. His plans are perfect. He will never leave you or forsake you. The weight of your world doesn’t have to live on your shoulders; it can live on his.
• His power is yours. The same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in you and is available to you. You should never battle temptation on your own.
• His provision is yours. God knows what you need. He has limitless resources. He loves to give good gifts to his children.
• Purpose in pain is yours. In Christ, no pain is ever wasted. All pain has purpose. Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope. God is at work, and one day it will all have been worth it. This is the closest you will ever get to hell; all that is waiting for you is glory.
• His hope is yours. We rejoice with joyful confidence because one day we will be all God intended us to be. Nothing in your future is uncertain in God’s hands.
• His love is yours. God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. People don’t often die for others, but Jesus died for those who didn’t love God. In love Jesus died because he wanted you.

Discussion Questions

• Which of the P’s from Romans 5 is hardest for you to believe right now? Why?
• Where do you sense you are not letting grace reign in your daily life?
• What does it look like for you to live as someone who has peace with God this week?
• How might knowing God delights in you change the way you relate to him?