Joeraja

Q2. (Romans 5:13, 20) What is Paul saying in these verses? Can there be sin without law? In what sense does the "trespass increase" (5:20) when the law is present? There can be sin without law. Adam sinned and was guilty and this sin was inherited by the generations after Adam. There was sin but probably no conviction as there were no lines to determine who crossed or did not. But when the law started with Moses sin became obvious. The law thus exposes sin which Paul describes as sin abounds. There is also this " laws are meant to be broken" attitude in people that makes them oppose laws and do things that are quite the opposite and thus explains the "trespass increase" because of man's sinful nature. However this we are delivered from this sinful life through the death of Christ our Lord on the cross. The law convicts us of sin but God's love through Jesus Christ grants us grace. We are able to live a righteous life.

Q1. What kinds of circumstances in modern life can you think of where a single person acts for an entire group? In what ways are members of the group tied to this person? This could happen in the family where the head of the family(the father) makes a decision that will affect the entire family(group). For example if he decides to take up a job in another district/state/country, the whole family will have to relocate and 're-start' their lives. It can also happen if the leader of a country decides to go to war where every citizen has to bear the consequences.

Q4. (Romans 5:9-11) What does "reconciliation" mean? Why is reconciliation with God necessary? We understand our having been saved by Jesus' death (5:10a, past tense). In what sense are we being saved (5:10b, present tense) by his life? What is Jesus doing for us in the present? Reconciliation means coming back to God or making peace with God. God was walking hand-in-hand with man (Adam) in the Garden of Eden but God distanced Himself from man after the rebellion or the fall. Adam's sin seperated us from God. Because He loved the world so much, He sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross as a sacrifice to reconcile us to Him. Reconciliation is important because without it we will still be sinners and have to face the wrath of God. Sin is death but reconciliation it gives us life, that is eternal life. With reconciliation our sins are forgiven and we are made righteous before God and are able to call Him Abba Father. We can have fellowship with God and receive his love,grace and mercy. Jesus's death not only brings us salvation but also continues to live with us through the Holy Spirit. He saves us from the wrath of God by granting us Grace. He guides us, comforts us and teachers us through the Holy Spirit. He guards us from the devil and makes our path straight.

Q3. (Romans 5:6, 8) Why is it so important to embrace the truth that "Christ died for the ungodly" (5:6), that "Christ died for sinners" (5:8)? According to 5:8, did Christ die for us at our best or at our worst? How does this give us assurance against the devil's lies about us being too bad to forgive? It is important to embrace the truth that "Christ died for the ungodly and the sinners" as otherwise Christ's death on the cross would be in vain. His death on the cross was to redeem us sinners. His death has brought us back to God. We were separated from God because of the original sin( Adam's fall). As a result we can now have eternal life. Christ died for us at our worst and this means that no one can be too sinful to be saved. No sin can be so bad that we cannot come to him with repentance. Jesus is willing and will only be too happy to forgive our sins because he loves us. It is satan who tries to confuse us by telling that we are too sinful and that God will not forgive us. God is waiting with open arms to forgive and love us in spite of our sins. Let not the devil deceive us.

Q2. (Romans 5:2-5) According to this passage why should we rejoice in our sufferings and tribulations? One by one, what is the importance to our lives of: perseverance, tried character, and hope? We should rejoice in our sufferings and tribulations because it is through this that God builds our character. Our sufferings and tribulations exposes our frailties and we begin to seek God and rely on Him completely. Then He carries us through. Of course we have to persevere before the happy ending. This is what gives us hope. That experience will get us through the many more sufferings and tribulations we may face later, all the time relying on Him. We will also be able to counsel and share this wonderful hope with other people who are facing similar sufferings.

QUOTE(Pastor Ralph @ Aug 16 2008, 12:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Q1. (Romans 5:1-2) According to verses 1-2, faith is a key to salvation. For Abraham (4:3), what was the relationship between faith and justification? For us (5:1-2), what is the relationship between faith and justification? In your own words, just what does it mean to be justified? Abraham had faith in God's promise that he will be a father of nations even though he (and Sarah) was too old to have children. Because of that faith in believing the impossible God considered him righteous, not for what his works but for his belief that God will make him a father of nations. As for us I believe that our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour and as the One who was sent down to earth to be the Sacrificial Lamb as an atonement for sins will justify our entry into His Kingdom of righteousness. Our faith in Him gives us the right to call Him Abba father and inherit his character that is his righteousness. Justified means that Jesus our Lord has done everything needed to redeem us and we just have to believe in Him to access all his promises.