SEPT. 28: THE GREATEST GIFT

Focal Passage: Romans 5:6-11; 18-21

Most people love receiving gifts, especially if those gifts are personal and reflect a degree of forethought. But what is the greatest gift, the best gift? The greatest gift of all time – the G.O.A.T. Gift — is the salvation we have in and through the Lord Jesus Christ. Why is this the greatest gift? The text before us tells us several reasons why the gospel of the best gift.

But let’s be technical and detailed about the inner workings of this great gift. Romans 5 is clear about the nature of God’s great gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. Let us outline the parts of this gift. 

1. We are sinners separated from God, in need of reconciliation with Him, v. 6.

2. Though sinful, Christ died for us even while we were sinning against Him, v. 6. He did not wait for us to get “cleaned up” before He died for sinners.

3. God demonstrated His love toward sinners even when we were hating Him as an enemy, v. 8.

4. In Jesus Christ we are “justified by His blood,” referring to His death and we have been declared “not guilty” even though we are fully guilty and deserve judgment, v. 9. 

5. Our justification means we are saved from the wrath of God’s judgment, v. 9. God’s wrath or judgement is already on us as sinners (Romans 1:18; Ephesians 2:3; Colossians 3:6). We are children of wrath. 

6. Though we were enemies of God, He bridged the gap and reconciled us with Himself through Jesus Christ, v. 10. God signed a peace treaty with His enemies in the blood of Jesus Christ.

7. In addition to being reconciled with God we are also saved from the penalty of sin by His life, v. 10.

8. Further, our reconciliation with God is the source of our joy, v. 11. 

9. The trespass of one man (Adam) brought condemnation to all; the righteous act of one man (Jesus Christ) made salvation possible for all who believe, v. 18.

10. The disobedience of Adam made all men sinners; the passive and active obedience of Jesus Christ made many righteous, v. 19. 

11. While the introduction of God’s Law made sinners aware of their sin, the grace of God out multiplied the demands of the Law so that sinners might be forgiven, v. 20.

12. Sin produces death and death will reign in all those who do not believe both now and forever, v. 21.

13. Yet, God’s grace rules through righteousness, resulting in eternal life in Jesus Christ for all who believe, v. 21.

To summarize, we are sinners, God is the great Savior. John 1:9-13 states it best: “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” 

Romans 6:23 calls our salvation a “free gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15 calls it “His inexpressible gift.” Ephesians 2:8 calls the grace of God the “gift of God.” No matter the phrase used it is the best gift; without it we have no hope. B&R