In today’s passage Paul uses Abraham as a metaphor to compare the life of a Christian to the ways the world is prone to live. In chapter one Paul described how humankind ignored God, the creator; but Abraham believed in God as the creator and giver of all life.
Humans knew of God’s power, yet did not worship God; but Abraham knew of God’s power and trusted God to use his power in life giving, life sustaining ways.
Humans did not give God glory for all he had done; but Abraham gave God all the glory.
Humans worshipped mortal, human made gods; but Abraham through his trust in and worship of God the giver of new life, realized that God had given his body the power to procreate even though at the age of 100 he had long lost that power.
Paul is showing that for Christians the life in Christ is much like the life Abraham modeled. Abraham trusted God to bring new life where there was no hope of life.
As Christians we believe God raised Jesus from the dead.
And, much like the world Paul described in chapter one, the world today scoffs at the notion of resurrection. But, as Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:18, “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.”
In Romans 1:4 Paul asserted that God made a huge statement at the resurrection: “Jesus was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.”
In our passage yesterday and today Paul reveals another huge statement of God: “The people, who believe in Jesus as my son, are my people.”
Today, I’m going into the world singing,
Lord, I lift your name on high
Lord, I love to sing your praises
I'm so glad You're in my life
I'm so glad You came to save us
You came from heaven to earth
To show the way
From the earth to the cross
My debt to pay
From the cross to the grave
From the grave to the sky
Lord, I lift your name on high.
What word or phrase in these verses
attracts your attention?
Reflect on that word or phrase.
What insights come to you?
How does this passage touch your life today?
6-Dec-11 Rom. 5:6-21
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