Word of life – Rom 5:10

“For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” (Rom 5:10 NKJ)

(2-16 Oct 2011)

What is emphasized?

Reconciliation and salvation in Jesus.

When were we enemies of God? Before our conversion, before we received Jesus as our Saviour and Lord. But if someone commits a grave sin, he is an enemy of God again and the wrath of God abides on him. Therefore, one needs to obtain reconciliation with God again through perfect contrition and confession of sins. God died for sinners, but only those receive reconciliation who repent (i.e. change their thinking – metanoein – and their life style – metastrofein). If Christians repent, they actualize the mystery of Baptism. Baptism involves two fundamental truths concerning Jesus Christ and us. It is Christ’s death and resurrection. Through Baptism we were immersed in Christ’s death and given a new life – the life of the risen Christ (see Rom 6:3-4). Christ’s death reconciled us with God and gave us the assurance of salvation. Resurrection of Christ follows His death. The new life of the risen Christ was given to us in Baptism but is actualized in us through a living faith. For the risen Christ dwells in our hearts through faith (Eph 3:17). Walking in faith means dying to one’s self (cf. Mk 8:34), i.e. the old self (human nature corrupted by original sin) is delivered to death with Christ, and through total renunciation of one’s self and one’s own will Jesus can live in us. Then the words of the Scripture are true: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” (Gal 2:20) So if Jesus lives in us through faith, we are saved by His life which is realized in us. The life of the risen Jesus in us also means that our old self is delivered to Christ’s death in a certain rhythm. It’s something like physical life and its rhythm of breathing. Breathing in can be compared to our old self being given up to death, and breathing out as if allows the risen Jesus to fulfil the will of the Heavenly Father in us. They who repent – that means, enter Christ’s death time and again give place to the life of Christ in themselves and are saved by this new life of His.