Romans 5:8-10 is an incredible faith-building text for our study and meditation. It teaches that the cross of Christ is the grounds or basis, not only for getting us saved but also for keeping us saved. In verse 9, the cross (referenced as "His blood") is the grounds for our justification. Therefore, the cross is the basis for the guarantee that we will be saved from the wrath of God. Romans 5:10 shows that the cross is the grounds for our reconciliation with God. The cross/resurrection event is the basis for the guarantee that we "will be saved."
One of my favorite hymns is There is a Fountain, which focuses on the redeeming love of Jesus Christ on the cross. The song lyrics progress from the removal of guilt in the first verse to the washing away of sin in the second, to the promise of the removal of sin entirely in the third.
There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day;
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.
Washed all my sins away, washed all my sins away;
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.
Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose its power
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.
Be saved, to sin no more, be saved, to sin no more;
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.
https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/1006
The songwriter, William Cowper, had confidence in that fountain "drawn from Emmanuel's veins" to remove guilt, to wash all sin away, and to keep us until we are saved to sin no more. Yes, the reality of the cross is that not only have we been saved, not only are we being saved, but all we who believe will be saved to sin no more. We truly can have hope and confidence for living by beholding the results of Jesus' death.
In our lives, we face dangers, trials, and hardships. Maybe you have encountered them in the past, or perhaps you are facing some now. You will certainly experience challenges in the future. These difficulties can have a way of obscuring the smiling face of God if we become focused on them. Anxiety and fear can dominate our thoughts; worries and terrors can overtake us if we let them.
If you are facing something difficult, let me encourage you to remember the cross of Jesus Christ and rejoice in your secure and joy-filled eternity purchased for you by your Savior, Jesus Christ! The cross of Christ enables us to rejoice in hope, persevere in tribulation, and be devoted to prayer (Romans 12:12) because, through it, we know we will be saved. We know we will be saved not only from sin and its consequences but also from the temporary trials and hardships we face today. Oh, what hope and encouragement this good news gives us!
Look at Jesus' cross. Focus on it. Rejoice in it, even in difficulties and trials, and the hard times that test your faith. Oh, what hope there is in the gospel! And this hope is kept for us in heaven, out of reach of the enemy; it cannot be lost or stolen:
“because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,” Colossians 1:5
“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.” Romans 5:2
“For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” Romans 8:24-25
While the world lives with a quiet sense of dread, Christians live with a burning optimism for the future and hope eternal and secure. Because of the cross of Jesus Christ, we will be saved!
Question 4. Do you have real hope that you will be saved from God’s wrath and the presence of sin?
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Have hope, dear friend! Hope that, if you are in Christ, you will be saved from God’s wrath through Him, and you will be saved to enjoy an eternity in heaven with Him.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13
Question 5. What are your final thoughts on today’s lesson? Do you have any questions or comments?
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Jake writes, "This was a good reminder to me. This increased my hope; no matter what situation I am in, I can always look to the cross and know that my future is secure, even when my present life looks bleak. I am glad that I am being continually saved and will be saved to the end."
Margaret writes, "Thank you so much for today’s lesson; my heart is bursting with hope. My circumstances have not changed, but my perspective has. Instead of focusing on the negatives (or what I think are negatives), I praise God that I will spend eternity with Him. It doesn’t matter what’s happening here on earth....to be there, with Him in heaven is going to be just the very best that it can be....wow!!!"