Theology for Everybody: RomansSample

In Romans 5:1–5, Paul tells us to rejoice in hardship, and in verses 6–11, he tells us to rejoice in relationship. The most important part of your life is not things— it’s people and relationships. And your most important relationship is with God.

If you spend any amount of time with Christians, you will probably hear the word “saved” used at some point.

What exactly does that mean?

Why do we need to be saved?

What are we saved from?

Who are we saved by?

What are we saved to?

Paul answers these and other questions in Romans 5:6–11. This passage has become one of the most loved and repeated summaries of the Christian faith.

1. Who were you before meeting Jesus? While our world likes to talk a lot about how good people are, Paul could not disagree more. He says people are, by nature and by choice, “ungodly,” “sinners,” “objects of wrath,” and “enemies of God.” We have a God-sized problem called sin and rebellion, which results in God's wrath. This is where our relationship with God starts but thankfully, not where He stops.

2. How were you saved by Jesus? Unlike other religions that tell people what to do for God, Christianity starts by telling people what Jesus has done for us. When Paul tells us, “Christ died,” and we are “saved by Him,” the apostle comforts us. Turning from sin and trusting in Jesus unlocks the relationship and our reconciliation with God. We were once at war with God and objects of His wrath, but when we surrender, we discover the wrath of God was placed on Jesus so the love of God could be poured out on us. This relationship with God changes who you are and who you are in relationship with other people. Suddenly, you realize, “God loved me when I was His enemy.” And if God was for you when you were His enemy, how much more will He be for you when you are His friend? If God did not give up on you when you were at war with Him, how much more will He not give up on you now that you are at peace with Him?

3. Who are you now with Jesus? The good news of Jesus Christ is that we are not only worse than we feared but also more loved than we could hope. This is what Paul means by saying we were “justified” and “saved” by God’s “love.” Who do you love so much that you would die for them? Who loves you so much that they would die for you? God loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for you. God loves you so much that He traded His Son’s life for yours.

Today’s Reflection

Who loves you so much they would die for you?