Romans 5: Reasons to Rejoice
WE ALL LONG to be joyful, to experience the pure delight that life sometimes offers. But life's joys are elusive, momentary, gone as quickly as they come. How can we have an abiding, enduring joy— especially when suffering intrudes into our lives? In Romans 5 Paul gives us several firm and lasting reasons to rejoice.
Warming Up to God
What kinds of things make you joyful? If you are in a private place where you feel comfortable, sing a short song of praise to God.
Read Romans 5. »
Discovering the Word
- How has faith in Jesus Christ changed our relationship with God (vv. 1-2)?
- In verses 2-11 what reasons does Paul give for rejoicing?
- How does suffering for Christ's sake produce the character changes mentioned in verses 3-4?
- How do verses 5-8 emphasize the love God has for us?
- Read verses 12-21. How are Adam and Christ similar (vv. 12, 18-19)?
- How is Christ's gift different from Adam's trespass (vv. 15-21)?
Applying the Word
- In what area of your life are you experiencing suffering?
- How can a knowledge of the process of character change help us to rejoice in our sufferings?
Responding in Prayer
This passage gives us many reasons for rejoicing. Spend time thanking and praising God for all we have in Christ Jesus.
For Further Study
He Has Made Me Glad by Ben Patterson