QT 11/8/2024 Rom 5:6-11, Salvation, then -- now -- and soon

Romans 5:6–11 (ESV) —

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.

 

NOTE: We have just discussed all the things that justification does for us, and that we were justified (saved) when we were his enemies. But Paul talks about a continuing salvation ("shall we be saved") in verse 9 and again in 10. Part of it may be eschatological, that is we will be saved from the wrath to come, but I think it refers to our continuing sanctification and our ultimate glorification. As Constable (2003) shares:

 

(Rom 5:10) We experience continuing salvation (progressive sanctification) and ultimate salvation (glorification) because of Jesus Christ’s ongoing life. These present and future aspects of our salvation were not the direct results of His death, but they are the consequences of His life after death and resurrection (cf. 6:8–13). We have salvation in the present and in the future because our Savior lives. He is still saving us. This verse shows that we are eternally secure.

 

(Rom 5:11) We were saved by His death in the past, we will be saved by His life in the future, and we are presently enjoying a current saving relationship with God—all because of His work of reconciliation

 

Jesus did all the work. The one-time justification, the continuing work now in our lives, and the future work of glorification. These are all part of our salvation.

 

PONDER:

Do I realize I am saved, being saved, and will be saved?

 

PRAYER: Father, there is much to know about salvation. I thank you for all that you did for us, especially when we were your enemies. I praise you for my salvation.