From Helpless Sinners to Reconciled Friends
Romans 5:6–11 (NLT)
6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
Message
I. Our Utter Helplessness and Christ’s Perfect Timing (6)
See verse 6a.
6a When we were utterly helpless,
The fact that we are utterly helpless is explained in Romans 1:18-3:20.
See verse 6b.
6b Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.
In Romans 3:21–4:25, it is explained that people are made right with God by faith in Christ, not by works.
II. The God Who Loved Us at Our Worst (7–8)
To illustrate that God’s love is so great, Paul wrote verses 7 and 8:
Paul explains that most of us are unwilling to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for an especially good person (7). But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners (8).
III. Justified by His Blood, Saved by His Life (9)
More precisely, it was the blood (Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22) of Christ (1 John 1:7; Romans 3:25) by which we have been made right in God’s sight (9).
IV. The Death That Justifies, the Life That Saves (10)
The restored relationship between God and us was expressed as “friendship” (10a). We were God’s enemies previously (10b). Because the death of His Son restored us from enemies to friends, the life of His Son will certainly save us (10).
V. Joy in the God Who Made Us His Friends (11)
In verse 11, Paul repeats verse 10a-b (11b) and reminds us that we can rejoice in it (11a).
