Useful Bible Studies > Romans Commentary > chapter 5
The love that God has shown for his enemies is truly extraordinary. Christ did not just die for people who consider themselves to be good. He also died for people who know themselves to be evil. He died for us, although we are guilty of many wrong and evil acts (3:23). Because we offended against God’s holy law, we made ourselves God’s enemies. However, Christ suffered our punishment. The result of his death is that God can forgive us. God has made it possible for us to have a right relationship with him.
When we invite Christ into our lives, God changes us completely (2 Corinthians 5:17). God frees us from the power of the devil (Hebrews 2:14), from the power of our sin (evil deeds) and of death (8:2). We are no longer God’s enemies, but his friends: God’s own people (1 Peter 2:9-10).
Christ’s work to save (rescue) us from the devil, from sin, and from death is complete. Christ has saved us from all these things by his death. However, these things still affect our lives. The devil continues to oppose God’s people (1 Peter 5:8-9). Sometimes we still do wrong things, and we must ask God to forgive us (1 John 1:8-10). Unless Christ returns first, we shall all die (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
However, God will certainly complete the work that he has begun in our lives (Philippians 1:6). If God cares so much about his enemies, he will certainly rescue his own people (Luke 18:7). We wait eagerly for the time when that will happen (8:18-25). Then God will destroy completely the power of death (1 Corinthians 15:51-57), the devil (Revelation 20:10), and every evil thing. His people will live again, and death and the devil will be unable to act against them again (Revelation 21:3-4).
Next part: Christians should speak boldly and with joy about God (Romans 5:11)
Please use the links at the top of the page to find our other articles in this series. You can download all our articles if you go to the download page for our free 1000+ page course book.
© 2022, Keith Simons.