Saved.

Who would have thought that a lamb could save the world?

” I have deliberately chosen a lamb as a symbol for my name and purpose. Firstly it represents the weakest and most vulnerable of animals and demonstrates the fact that I came to serve the world. That I came in true humility, calling all those who would follow me to set aside pride in themselves and in their accomplishments, setting aside all superior thoughts, recognising their position in relation to Me. Secondly I came to serve by giving My life as a ransom. That ultimate act of service, in giving My life, was and is the central purpose of My life and mission,and the very means by which I, as a sacrificial lamb, could win forgiveness, redemption and reconciliation for the whole world.”

We started last week to look at the preamble (in 5:1-11) of what it means to live the Christian life which is the subject in the next 4 chapters in Romans (Ch 5-8). Last week we followed the argument of Paul following the final statement of ch 4 – 4:25 (He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification), following this with the discourse ch 5 starting with the words: Therefore since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God.

In our reading today 5:8 – 11, he firstly reminds us of how vast this act was, considering our position in relation to God, and then he summarises the idea of salvation.

Our reading starts with the amazing statement: At just the right time. This describes, not only Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross but every act and move of God in relation to His creation. Ever felt like calling out, like the psalmist, “How long oh Lord how long?” His timing in every respect is always: just the right time. We can absolutely trust that God’s timing is always perfect no matter how it may appear to us.

He uses three different descriptions that emphasise the vast gulf that separated man from God that Jesus had to bridge. He describes our previous state as “powerless’ vs 6, “sinners” vs 8, God’s enemies vs 10. He furthermore reminds us that because we were in that state we were under God’s wrath.vs 9

It is the basis of salvation that we start by realising how great our need is, before we can truly appreciate what Jesus has done for us. That is ongoing for all of us. We need to continually remind ourselves of how vast the work was that brought us peace and reconciliation with God. This reminder will reenergise us as we follow Jesus. We can never afford to become complacent and forget the roots that hold us in our faith.

In vss 9 -11 Paul summarises what our salvation covers. There are. Three time frames for our salvation: Firstly the beginning, While we were still enemies we have been justified vs9 and reconciled vs 10. There was a point in the past at which we were actively saved.”While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 5:7c. “When we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him”. 5:10.

Then there is the present time: vs 11 “through whom we now have received reconciliation”. We are being saved continually every moment of our lives, present tense.

Then there is our future: vs 6 How much more will we be saved and vs10 b shall we be saved.

Our salvation is an ongoing process. There was a distinct beginning, there is an ongoing experience and growth and then there is the ultimate fulfilment. All this launched by God while we were still totally powerless and His enemies. We weren’t saved because we deserved it or did anything to move God to do it. It was entirely from Him and all we can do is surrender, believe and follow. Whenever we move from that position we move into the dangerous field of legalism.

God bless you all till next week.