Rom. 5:6-9 For when we were without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet per-adventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commended his love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

First of all, I want us to look at the realization of our spiritual condition apart from Christ. Do you realize your spiritual condition and why you need to be declared righteous by the blood of Jesus Christ and not your own efforts? The Bible puts it this way in verse 6: For when we were yet without strength….

without strength = sick or powerless, or helpless

When we were without strength– means that there is not an ounce of ability in any of us that could

ever save us. In John 11, Lazarus was without strength. It says he was sick – How sick was he? He died! That is what you call really being sick. – again, in Rom. 5:6. In Acts 9:37 this word

is used of Dorcas – she was sick. How sick? She died. It was a serious illness.

This was the condition that we were in. We were without cure, we were without hope, we were

without strength. In that condition there is not way that anyone could save themselves. Yet we find

Christians everywhere preaching the gospel of works and human performance. That somehow we are able by our own works, by our own efforts to clean up our act and live our life for the Lord. No we are not. The bible says there is none that doeth good, there is none righteous, no not one. We are totally without strength.

So this whole text here starts with a realization of our spiritual condition. Without that precious blood

of Jesus Christ there is no hope for anybody here.

The second thing we want to point out here in verse 6 is God’s timing in all of this, A…. in due time

Christ died for the ungodly. Again, in Galatians 4:4,5; But when the fullness of the time was come,

God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the

law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

The fullness of time came. Perfect timing in the plan of God. Many people ask, what is the meaning

of that? Couldn’t He have died years before that or years later? The answer is no! He could not have died one day earlier or one day later! Why? If He died at any other time then when He did, He would not have fulfilled the Prophecy that was very specifically laid out by the Prophet Daniel as to when the Messiah would come and be cut off. It was perfect timing, so that no one could doubt, no one could question – this is the messiah who would die for the sins of the world – He came right on time.

Lets go back to our text and look at the third matter. First the realization of our spiritual condition

Secondly, the recognition of God’s timing. Then third, the reason for His death. Again, in Rom. 5:7,8 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet per-adventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Here in verse 8 we have this beautiful word commended meaning stand with. But God stands with those who are sinners.The exact opposite of what human nature would do.

What did they accuse Jesus of? Of being a friend to Publicans and Sinners. Aren’t you glad that the

Lord Jesus is comfortable with Sinners? I didn’t say, comfortable with sin, but with sinners. He is willing to do this because He loves you. The little children’s songs spells it out: Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.., The wonderful love of God. You see, He doesn’t give up. He doesn’t just say, oh well.

Jesus continues to stand with who? With sinners!

There are people who teach that once you come to Christ, you are no longer a sinner. NO, you are still a

sinner saved by grace. You are still going to have a problem with sin because you have a sin nature. One day it will be completely removed.

That is why it is so important to understand Romans. We are not made righteous in this life. We are

only declared to be righteous because of what Jesus did on the cross. You are not any more righteous 20

years after you accept Christ, then you are the very day you accept Christ. It is the righteousness of Jesus Christ it is not our own righteousness. Christians can get so confused over that. It isn’t by works of righteousness that we have done, but it is according to His mercy that He has saved us. What a wonderful gospel that we have.

Now, let’s look at verse 9, and we will see the result of His blood. Much more then, being

justified by His blood…

There has been tremendous wars in the Christian church over this issue of the blood of Christ, and has been for years. Many modern day hymn books have intentionally left out any hymns having to do with the blood. In many liberal churches today you will never hear any reference to the blood. They offer their people no means of salvation. There is no salvation apart from the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Peter 1:18 you were not redeemed with corruptible things such as silver and gold….but with the precious blood of Christ…. His blood is the only thing that can save you. It is the means by which we are justified before God.

The fifth thing that I want to bring to your attention is or rescue from wrath. Verse 9 we shall be

saved from wrath through him. God’s wrath will be poured out against the whole world in the

period of time known as the tribulation. It is called the time of God’s wrath. But we also know that hell itself is the wrath of God against those who rejected His Son, Jesus Christ.

It says in 1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. Literally, the believer is saved from wrath. saved from what?Saved from the wrath of God. I like to say, saved from sin, death and hell. And only through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. To be saved is a serious thing. It’s so serious I want you to look at a few verses.

Acts 16:31; And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be SAVED…

It is all the way through the Bible….. Saved from the wrath of God.

I Cor. 1:18; For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but to us which are

SAVED it is the power of God.

Eph. 2:8; For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Titus 3:5; Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved

us.

To truly be saved is to be saved from the wrath of God. That’s not just the Tribulation wrath, it is the eternal wrath of hell itself. Rev. 20: Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. God helps us to understand our salvation. It is primarily and fundamentally rescuing us from hell and from God’s wrath.

Pastor Marshall Coleman

3/11/2021