Romans 5--A Life Bent Toward Holiness

The righteousness imputed, or reckoned, to the believer puts him in right-standing before God: he has peace, or reconciliation, with God; whereas, the unbeliever (the unregenerate, the unconverted), in his lost (unsaved) state, is still subject to God's wrathful judgment, poised to fall on all sinners who cannot truly point to Jesus as their Savior (Ro 5:1).

Not only does the believer have reconciliation with God, which saves him from damnation and hell (as if that were not enough!), the believer is granted access to God--a personal audience with the God of the universe! (Ro 5:2). It is no wonder the believer rejoices! He rejoices even in tribulations because he now understands why he has troubles: "...knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character; and character, hope (Ro 5: 3-4)."

This audience, or personal relationship, with Almighty God, made possible through Christ, enables the believer to live a "saved" life--a life marked by purity (Ro 5:10).

When Adam sinned, he caused the "Fall" of mankind. Thenceforth every child born would have a sin nature; i.e., a bent toward sinning. No person could save himself from this condition--his own sinful nature. No amount of good works or moral, upstanding behavior could alleviate the ultimate consequences of this sin nature: condemnation by a just and holy God.

God, in His mercy, however, provided one way (Jn 14:6) out of this dilemma--the sinner can receive Jesus, the Holy One, as Lord and Master (Jn 1:12). Thus the sinner, now a believer, receives a new nature (11 Corinthians 5:17). This new nature is bent toward holiness, unlike the old nature, which is bent toward sin. The believer, with his new nature, is not sinless, but the mark of his life is holiness.

Sinful man, in his fallen state, does not quickly recognize his depraved condition. Therefore, God gave mankind His law, to show each individual his impure state. If there is any doubt in a person's mind whether or not he is pure, he can read the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) and ask himself how many of God's laws he has violated, even still violates daily, in thought, word and deed.

Violating God's law is not the normal condition for a true believer. The rejoicing seen in Romans 5 is not just the joy of salvation from hell, it is the joy of salvation from the sin nature. God, through Jesus, has provided a new nature, with a bent toward purity, for the believer. Glory Hallelulia!