Lesson 422

(Lesson 422)(10-11-12) Romans 5:1-6, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."

This lesson is a continuation or Paul's sermon on faith, as opposed to works, as a condition of eternal salvation for all mankind.

Note that in the latter portion of this lesson, Paul says, "Christ died for the ungodly." This statement puts all the rest of Paul's sermon in clear perspective.

Because of the inability of mankind to live a perfectly righteous life, or to have a means by which to overcome the original sin of Adam, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ became necessary. Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Jesus was sent as a 'one-time-fits-all' payment for all the sins of those who would only accept it.
It is vividly clear that the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the one, and only, remitter of sin. Those who choose to deny the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, will forever dwell in the grasp of sin, Isaiah 64:6, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."

It is also very noteworthy that there is no reference to water baptism anywhere in Paul's stated requirements for eternal salvation.
Again, I don't want to leave the impression that those who have accepted, and placed their faith in, the grace of God have a license to do whatever they want, 2 Corinthians 5:10, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."~