The Love of Christ
Romans 5:1-11
Therefore, since we have been justified by
faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we
have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we
rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our
sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces
character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame,
because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who
has been given to us. 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ
died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person — though
perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die — 8 but God shows his love
for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since,
therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved
by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were
reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are
reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice
in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received
reconciliation.
Discussion Questions
Romans 5:1 "Therefore, since we have
been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ."
Question: What does it mean to have peace
with God? How is this different from feelings of personal peace or calmness?
Romans 5:2 “Through him we have also obtained
access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of
the glory of God.”
Question: How does “standing in grace” shape
our understanding of our relationship with God? How does this impact our hope
in daily life?
Romans 5:3-5 “Not only that, but we rejoice
in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance
produces character, and character produces hope.”
Question: Why does Paul encourage believers
to “rejoice in our sufferings”? How have you seen God use trials to strengthen
your faith or character?
Romans 5:6-8 "But God shows his love for
us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Question: What does this verse teach us about
the nature of God’s love? Why is it significant that Christ died for us while
we were still sinners?
Romans 5:10-11 "For if while we were
enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that
we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life."
Question: What does reconciliation mean in
this passage? How does being reconciled to God change the way we live and
interact with others?
The love of God is something that is poured
into every single person who is a Christian. As the love of God pours into our
lives it should overflow into the lives of others. How is God calling you to
display the love of God to other people this season?
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