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Sermon #54 — Romans Series

Title: “Being Now Justified”

Text: Romans 5:1-21

Subject: Justification

Date: Sunday Morning — May 10, 2015

Reading: Romans 5:1-21

(Romans 5:1-21) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

(2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

(3) And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

(4) And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

(5) And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

(6) For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

(7) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

(8) But God commendeth 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.

(12) Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

(13) (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

(14) Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

(15) But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. 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.

(16) And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

(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 in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

(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.

(19) For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

(20) Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

(21) That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Introduction

Why would anyone want to be a Christian? — What can I say or do to cause you to want what I have in Christ? Open your Bible to Romans chapter five. I want to persuade you by the Word of God to become a Christian, a believer, a follower of Christ. May God the Holy Ghost speak by his Word to you, as I try to tell you what it is to be saved by the Lord Jesus Christ.

As he will enable me, I want to talk to you about being justified by the grace of God. — “Being Now Justified” — That is the title of my message. — “Being Now Justified.” Hold your Bible open here at the 5th chapter of Romans. You will not need to look at any other passage this morning. I want us to look at these 21 verses of Holy Scripture and see what God the Holy Ghost tells us is ours in Christ, “being now justified by his blood.”

Having stated and proved the doctrine of justification by grace, by the righteousness of Christ made ours, the Apostle Paul goes on in this chapter to show us the blessings that belong to us in Christ Jesus, “being now justified by his blood.” — It is written, “Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

Peace

The first of the blessings belonging to sinners saved by the grace of God, redeemed by the blood of Christ and born again by his Spirit, “being now justified by his blood,” is described in verse 1 as “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — “Therefore being justified, by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is a privilege rarely known among men, even among multitudes who profess to be believers.

Is that the case with you? Do you profess faith in Christ, but yet have no peace with God? Do you lack the full satisfaction of perfect justification in the sight of God? Are you still in a state of uncertainty and anxiety about your eternal destiny? Do you crave the enjoyment of that sweet and holy calm which the Apostle here calls “peace with God”? — I call on you now to believe God, trust the Lord Jesus Christ, lean your soul upon the crucified Savior, and find the joy of this “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

When God the Holy Ghost applies the blood of atonement to the guilty conscience and enables the sinner to trust Christ, by faith, we lay hold on eternal life, appropriate to ourselves the righteousness of Christ, and bathe our souls in the fountain of his blood.

Illustration: Barnard at Old Faithful

Trusting Christ, being justified freely by his grace, we have peace with God by faith in him.

· The perfections of God no longer terrify us.

· The law of God holds no curse against us.

· Justice is satisfied, having sheathed its dreadful sword in our Savior’s side.

· Reconciliation is ours by the blood of his cross.

All this peace faith accepts with joy. Our souls have now been brought into perfect agreement with God regarding his plan of salvation. In Christ, “being now justified by his blood,” we have sweet communion with God through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.

The same faith which accepts and puts on the perfect righteousness of Christ for justification brings the soul into holy intimacy with all the persons and perfections of Deity; and by the gift of that faith all the blessings of the covenant of grace are sealed our souls by the Spirit of God.

This blessed privilege is to be obtained through our Lord Jesus Christ alone, leaving no room for saints, sinners, church, priests, preachers, or sacraments to claim any merit in the matter of justification and the enjoyment of peace. Jesus, and Jesus only, is the Mediator between God and men.

May God the Holy Ghost give you faith in Christ and this wonderful peace that faith possesses, that holy calm, that divine tranquility, that sweet peace which is enjoyed by the justified soul, standing complete in the righteousness of Christ, requiring no merit but the merit of Christ, satisfied with that one Mediator, that one Great High Priest, and that one Advocate on High that God accepts!

Firm Standing

The next blessing resulting from free and full justification, known and felt in the heart, is a firm standing in the state of grace, into which we have found access to God.

(Romans 5:2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

He who brings poor sinners into a state of grace keeps them in grace. Our standing in grace does not depend upon our faithfulness to God, but upon God’s faithfulness to us. — Both the present peace and the permanent standing of God’s elect are secure, secure as God himself. — “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

(Psalm 125:1) They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever.

(Job 17:9) The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.

(Psalm 37:23-24) The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. (24) Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

(Proverbs 24:16) For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

(Micah 7:8) Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me. (9) I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.

(John 10:27-28) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (28) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Grace is declared to be an incorruptible seed. It must therefore live and abide forever. And the soul that gains access to the state of grace, by regeneration and effectual calling, has passed from death unto life, and shall not come into condemnation. Thus taught the Son of God (John 5:24).

Rejoicing in Hope

Next, “being now justified by his blood,” God’s saints, standing in grace, “rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Grace and glory are so inseparably connected that where God gives the one he always gives the other (Psalm 84:11). Every recipient of grace may, and should, with confident assurance, rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, because the faithfulness and love of God are pledged that our hope shall never make us ashamed. The hope of glory is the steading stay of our souls and staff for our pilgrimage.

· Justification opens the door to peace.

· Peace gives us their access to the grace of God and to the God of grace.

· That access to grace and to God gains a firm standing that indulges in holy joy.

· And that holy joy is filled with the expectation and prospect of eternal glory.

Glory in Tribulations

In verses 3-5, we see that, “being now justified by his blood,” God’s people in this world glory in tribulations under the influence of the love shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost.

(Romans 5:3-5) And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; (4) And patience, experience; and experience, hope: (5) And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts when God the Holy Spirit gives us faith in Christ, assuring us that we are the children of God, assuring us that we are loved of God. — That is peace!

(Galatians 4:4-6) But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, (5) To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (6) And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Grace keeps us relying upon and communing with God in Christ, under a sweet sense of free and full justification and acceptance in the one only sacrifice for sin, Christ Jesus. — This is peace.

Substitution

In verses 6-8 the Apostle returns to his favorite subject, substitution, the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ.

(Romans 5:6-8) For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (7) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. (8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

No reason can be found why so great and glorious a sacrifice should be made for sinners like us, but the sovereign love of our eternal Jehovah to his people, who were all without strength and ungodly when Christ died for them.

Our Savior’s death upon the cursed tree, we are told, was in due time, the very time fixed upon in covenant engagements to honor his bond of responsibility as the Surety for his elect by his death.

How cheering this doctrine is to those who know and feel the burden of sin, to learn that we are the very people for whom Christ died – the ungodly, – and that his death for us is sufficient warrant for our complete confidence and our highest expectations. No matter how dark and deep the stain of sin, no matter how overwhelming the consciousness of sin is, here is the antidote – “Christ died for the ungodly!”

This one, all-sufficient sacrifice is the commendation of the love of God to poor, needy, guilty sinners. What higher testimony could Jehovah give of his love to our souls, than the gift of his only-begotten and co-equal Son to die for sinners? But our poor depraved hearts are so unconscious of the value of that love of God, that he commends it to us in all its fulness, freeness, sovereignty, and immutability, as displayed in the death of Christ.

Nevertheless, with such commendation, and with all that the preachers of the everlasting Gospel can say, to commend it, not one of Adam’s ruined race ever did, or ever will, believe it and receive it until the Holy Ghost puts forth divine power to convince man of his need of the atonement, and enables him to receive it. But when he condescends to impart life divine to the soul, making us willing in the day of his power, every refuge of lies is forsaken, and the one offering of Christ, once for all, becomes the exclusive dependence, and the daily rejoicing of that man.

Salvation Sure

“Being now justified by his blood,” every believing sinner is assured of that glory in which we hope, every believing sinner is assured of everlasting salvation in and with Christ (vv. 9-10).

(Romans 5:9-10) 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.

All who are justified by the atonement of Christ and in his perfect righteousness shall be saved forever; for it is impossible that the end for which Christ died can be frustrated. — He who died to make reconciliation, lives to claim salvation for all for whom he died.

Joy in God

“Being now justified by his blood,” we who were once terrified by God now joy in God through the atonement we have received by faith in Christ.

(Romans 5:11) And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

The knowledge and assurance of standing complete in Christ produce joy in God, joy in the hearts of all who have received the atonement by faith. In that atonement all the perfections of Deity are seen smiling upon the sinner, having received full satisfaction for his sin. In Christ, by faith in Christ, the pardoned and justified soul joys in the justice of God as much as in his mercy and love.

· The beginning this joy in holy fellowship with all the persons in the Godhead is now, here on earth.

· It will be consummated and perpetuated to all eternity in the world above.

Two Men

The rest of this great chapter is taken up with a comparison, or contrast, between two men, two representatives, two covenant heads, Adam and Christ, as representatives of the whole human race. If this one thing were understood, it would put an end to all Arminian, freewill, works religion. — God deals with all men in two representative men — Adam and Christ — The First Adam and the Last Adam.

(Romans 5:12-19) Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (13) (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. (14) Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. (15) But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. 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. (16) And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. (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 in life by one, Jesus Christ.) (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. (19) For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

It is impossible, by any fair reasoning, based on Scripture, to separate salvation from redemption. Only let the two headships be kept in view, and then the word “all,” upon which so much stress is laid by will-worship idolaters, explains itself. — As death passed upon all in Adam by his one sin, so the free gift of justification unto life came upon all in Christ.

Adam is here said to be the figure of him that was to come (ver. 14). So the Apostle’s doctrine is this: — All the seed of Adam are implicated in his one offence by virtue of their union with him; and all the seed of Christ are interested in his one righteousness by virtue of their union with him. Freewill/works religion has poisoned the well, denying this headship of Adam and Christ, to set up the antichrist doctrine of free-will in their stead.

Look back at verse 14 for just a minute. Let me state just two things set before us in this verse.

(Romans 5:14) Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

I promise, I will come back to it and deal with it more fully soon, if the Lord will allow me to do so. But I want you to see two things here.

1. Infants dying in infancy are saved in Christ, chosen, redeemed, justified, regenerated, and sanctified by the grace of God. — The sacrifice of Christ atoned for Adam’s one offence, or else neither he nor any of his posterity can be saved; and if that one offence be atoned for, then infants, who have committed no other offence, must be saved.

2. Adam was a type of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Abounding Grace

Take one more look at Romans 5. In verses 20-21, “being now justified by his blood,” saved sinners rejoice and give thanks to God for his abounding grace in Christ Jesus.

(Romans 5:20-21) Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: (21) That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Though sin reigned unto death, rendering man incapable of one spiritual act, destitute of one spiritual breath, and under the sentence of death by the law, grace in its sovereign enactments, its free gifts, and its mighty, invincible operations, reigns for us and in us, through the righteousness of Christ, securing eternal life and qualifying every believing sinner to enjoy it. That righteousness that is ours in Christ by the super-abounding grace of God makes us “meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light!”

See, then, what man is in himself by nature: a slave of sin, under the tyranny of Satan all the time of his unregeneracy, exposed to death literally and eternally, as the very wages which he is earning. — “For the wages of sin is death!”

See what saved sinners are in Christ Jesus, “being now justified by his blood.”

· At Peace!

· Standing firm in Grace!

· Rejoicing in Hope!

· Glorying in Tribulations!

· Knowing the Love of God!

· Forever Saved!

· Forgiven!

· Without Sin!

· Righteous, Perfectly Righteous in Christ!

Behold the triumphs of omnipotent grace, breaking the bonds of sin, vanquishing the tyrant who led the sinner captive at his will, liberating the guilt-bound soul, cancelling all his enormous debt, justifying him before God, and setting up the throne of Jesus in the heart! Here Christ Jesus reigns sole monarch of the affections, and absolute sovereign of his life, swaying the sceptre of his grace over all the powers of the soul, bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ, and leading all his faithful subjects from conquering to conquer, making us all more than conquerors. Then, when his work in us is finished, our triumphs (His triumphs!) shall be consummated before the throne of God in eternal life!

All this is ours if we trust the Lord Jesus Christ, “being now justified by his blood!”

Illustration: The Handkerchief

Amen.

Don Fortner

Pastor Fortner’s