David Thompson 26 th June 2011 Part 5 The Gospel – Reigning in Life Romans 5

Romans 1-3: “Reasons you may think you are a Christian, but you’re not.” Romans 5:1: “Since we have been justified through faith, therefore…” Romans 5: “Reasons you may think you are NOT a Christian, but you ARE.”

“I don’t feel the love of God!”

“How can I be a Christian when my life is so hard?”

“How do I know I won’t lose my salvation?”

“But what if I really sin?”

“I don’t feel the love of God!”

“Don’t get your understanding from your feelings… rather, let your feelings be based on correct understanding.” You have been reconciled to God. You have been given access to the treasure room of God’s grace. You have the hope of the glory of God.

“How can I be a Christian when my life is so hard?”

Suffering works to produce perseverance Perseverance works to produce ‘approvedness’ ‘Approvedness’ works to produce hope “I have been tested but I stand approved. Now I know that I am His, and I know that I will reign with Him forever.”

“How do I know I won’t lose my salvation?”

God has already done the hard part! Verses 6-11 You were in Adam; now you are in Christ Verses 12-19

“But what if I really sin?”

Verse 20: “…where sin increased, grace increased all the more, …”

Verse 17: “…how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.” “The key to living an assured Christian life is to see your identity in Jesus.”