"Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:7-8)

Christmas Eve 1914, German soldiers began singing Silent Night. Across the battle line Allied soldiers recognized the tune and joined in their language. Bitter enemies suddenly had a common ground.

As singing continued, both sides ventured into no-man's-land to share food and cigarettes. The next day, fighting would resume, but the commonality of a hymn brought bitter enemies a Christmas truce for a few hours.

In war, rarely do enemies extend the offer of peace, even for a few brief hours.

Paul uses a similar example. We know people who have died in war, giving their lives for a greater cause. However, it is inconceivable to think someone would die for their enemy. Let alone offering peace at their expense.

However, that is exactly what Jesus did. While we were enemies of God, Christ died for us and offered us a peace treaty with God (Rom. 5:10).

Paul said in the beginning of Romans that humanity became God-haters (Rom. 1:30). He listed the desires within us that made us adversaries of God (Rom. 1:29-31). Paul’s conclusion was humanity deserved to die (Rom. 1:32).

Amazingly, God had mercy on us! God showed His love by sending Jesus into the enemy camp to rescue us. He showed up while we hated him.

The offense of sin was great, God could not overlook it. His solution was Jesus dying a criminal’s death on a Roman cross in our place while we were His enemies (Rom. 4:25).

This ceasefire was an invitation to venture into no-man's-land, where God was waiting for us with open arms. The Apostle Paul says now we have peace with God (Rom. 5:1)

Unlike the story of the World War I soldiers, our peace treaty with God lasts for more than a few precious hours. In Christ, we now stand in a constant state of peace and acceptance (Rom. 5:2). In Christ, we are not God’s enemies; we are His friends.

Reflect

What comes to mind when you hear you were an enemy of God

What comes to mind when you hear that Jesus’ death on the cross was God’s demonstration of love?

Previous: Romans 5:6  Next: Romans 5:9-11

Original article published July 24, 2009.

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:6)

Who knew?

Who knew, dying a criminal’s death on a Roman cross would be the key to unlocking what humanity works so hard for—peace with God.

Paul explains his logic, “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” (Rom. 4:25). He says, now we have peace with God (Rom. 5:1).

This happened when we were powerless to help ourselves.

He didn’t wait for us to get it together (whatever that means). We weren’t even waiting and ready for Him to come; He came at just the right time. That’s good news!

This means there is nothing, again nothing, we add to it. God invites us to enjoy it. To enjoy peace between us and the Father, to enjoy the fact that Jesus died for us, paid for our sins and now invites us into a relationship with Him.

Reflect

What comes to mind when thinking about God dying for the ungodly?

What comes to mind when you think about God dying for you?

Take a moment to thank Jesus for this gift.

Previous: Romans 5:3-5  Next: Romans 5:7-8

Original article published July 23, 2009.

"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us" (Romans 5:3-5)

Why does suffering produce patience, perseverance, character, and hope? These are the gold standard characteristics but scarce.

If I had a choice, I would rather purchase virtues from Amazon. I’d have them in 2 days, they wouldn’t cost much—Prime shipping is free after all, am I right?

So why is suffering the primary way we develop good things in our lives?

I think (I could be wrong) when we suffer we look for God. We notice Him. It becomes apparent that He is working in our lives and the situation. This process can be long, but waiting develops patience in us. Patience deepens into a steadfast, steely determination called perseverance. This is where hope shines.

Hope, when you break it down, is a confident and joyful expectation.

In suffering, we anchored our hope to God, who is the author and source of hope. Hope never disappoints because God generously pours into our lives during times of suffering. He shows up and does something special in our hearts—He pours out love and perspective; God smooths our rough edges; He enables us to see others in need and relate to them; God helps turn our focus from inward to outward. Then He uses us to be a redemptive force in this world.

Yes, my friends, in suffering when hope awakens, it is because we know God is with us, and working for us. The process is hard, but the result far outweigh the pain. Our confidence is unshakeable because we know God will always be there for us.

Reflect

Where are you suffering right now?

Where do you see God “showing up” in this pain?

Reflect on the ways God has poured into your life through the Holy Spirit during times of suffering and pain. Take a moment to thank Him for walking with you through it.

Previous: Romans 5:2   Next: Romans 5:6

Original article published July 21, 2009.

"through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God" (Romans 5:2)

On my tenth wedding anniversary, my husband surprised me with tickets to see the hit Broadway show, Mary Poppins. It was a gift designed to delight me, and it worked. The show was fantastic.

He purchased the tickets long before our trip. When we arrived at the theatre, they quickly ushered us in. Faith is like those tickets, it ushers us into a state of God’s favor (grace). It makes all the introductions; it grants us an all-access pass and the best news is that it’s free. Jesus pays the admission price. And now we simply enjoy the gift designed to delight us.

I love how Eugene Peterson describes this in The Message: “And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise,” (Rom. 5:2 The Message).

I love that! In Jesus, not only do we have our entrance and introductions to God, but we also take part in His glory. The word is doxa. It’s translated several ways and in this passage it means ‘a most glorious condition, most exalted state.’ But, it’s not referring to God’s glory, it’s pointing to the blessedness given to followers of Christ.

In Christ, you and I have an entrance pass to experience a most exalted state of God’s favor and blessing!

That’s incredible! Paul says, rejoice in it! Eugene Peterson says, stand tall and shout praises! I invite you to think about the implications:

Reflect

Have you used your entrance ticket to experience friendship with God or does guilt, shame and unworthiness keep you away?

How does understanding this verse give you confidence in God?

What would change if you thought of yourself as the recipient of God’s favor and blessing?

What would change if you thought of others as the recipient of God’s favor and blessing?

Previous: Romans 5:1  Next: Romans 5:3-5

Original article published July 20, 2009.

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ..." (Romans 5:1)

Occasionally while driving I see the old cliché bumper sticker: “No Jesus, No Peace; Know Jesus, Know peace.” It always makes me smile. During tumultuous times, we long for peace, but without Jesus, peace is an elusive thing.

In earlier chapters, Paul makes a stunning argument that righteousness comes by faith in Jesus Christ apart from what we can do to earn it (Rom. 3:22). He brilliantly covers objections one can make. Now, he’s switching gears to describe the blessings of righteousness—Peace with God!

Did you hear that right? Yes! We have peace with God in Christ Jesus.

Paul explains, through faith in Jesus, we have a perfect sinless record, as if we’ve always obeyed God’s righteous standards. This ushers us into a place of friendship, unity, and peace with God the Father.

The sentiment of the old bumper sticker still rings true today! Trouble comes, but knowing Jesus helps us to experience peace with God.

Reflect

Do you consider yourself a friend of God?

What things keep you from experiencing soul peace between yourself and God?

Pray and share these things with God.

Previous: Romans 4:25  Next: Romans 5:2

Original article published July 19, 2009.

"He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification" (Romans 4:25)

When I first started understanding Romans, this verse was an ah-ha moment. A critical brick in the foundation of a grace Jesus built in my life. 

I had understood partial truths my whole life. Truths that focused on Jesus dying for my sin. My interpretation made the hero of the story my sin. “You are a sinner, God doesn’t like you, Jesus had to die for you—now try harder.”

There was a serious disconnect between Jesus dying to pay for my sin and Him liking me. This is true for many of us. Hey, why else do so many of us refer to ourselves (and each other) as sinners saved by grace?

This turn of phrase stabs Jesus the heart. 

Here’s why—Yes, Jesus’ death was necessary. Yes, Jesus did it willingly, but the goal wasn’t only to pay the debt of sin for the world (past, present and future: Heb. 7:27; 8:12; 9:12, 14, 26, 28; 10:10, 12, 14, 18, 22; 1 Pet. 3:18). The goal was to secure a change in legal standing before God (justification, Rom. 4:25). 

Our status changed with the resurrection—We’ve missed this!  

This means that God once considered us sinners guilty of breaking the entire law (James 2:10). But, Paul says that Jesus’ resurrection was to secure our justification. Justification is a legal change from guilty to not guilty. 

But our status of not guilty isn’t that we’re considered as never having broken a law, our new status credits us with always having obeyed the law. That is incredible! 

Paul explains it further in Chapter 8, “For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit,” (Rom. 8:3-4).

Do you see the difference? 

In Christ Jesus, we are not merely sinners saved by grace; we stand before God with a perfect, sinless record. He does not keep score. He doesn’t look at us as the sum of our mistakes. He looks at us and sees Jesus’ perfect record (righteousness). 

Once I started to understand this, my relationship with God changed. I understood myself as a beloved daughter that didn’t need to hide from God. I could let go of past sins and mistakes. I quit berating myself, wallowing in shame. I found the elusive freedom promised in scripture.

Do you consider yourself as a lowly sinner saved by grace?

How would your life change if you thought of yourself as having Jesus’ perfect sinless record?

What past sins and mistakes do you need to forgive yourself for? 

Need More on Justification?

You’re in luck, check out these articles on justification and marvel at all that Jesus did for us.

• By Faith We Are Justified—Romans 3:22-24
• A Demonstration of Justice—Romans 3:25
• Just and the Justifier—Romans 3:26
• Justified by Faith—Romans 3:28

Previous: Romans 4:23-24  Next: Romans 5:1

Original article published July 18, 2009.

"The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness-for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead" (Romans 4:23-24)

Let’s give a collective sigh of relief! We too can experience peace and acceptance with God (righteousness) by trusting in God’s power to save us and make us right with Him. This means we stop trusting in our own ability. A point Paul has made so many times in the first 4 chapters of Romans, it’s ridiculous!

Paul plays the trump card so we understand God’s power—He raised Jesus from the dead! 

How many of us can say this?

No one.

There is a stark contrast between our power and Gods. This is one more reason to trust God when He asks us to put our faith in Him. If His power can raise the dead, what won’t it do in our own lives?  

In this chapter, Paul compares and contrasts what two Old Testament heroes knew that we miss, stop trying and start trusting (Rom. 4:5, 13). The result, righteousness. Right-standing with God, having a record that doesn’t keep score of our sins and mistakes. It credits us perfection, as if we’ve always obeyed God’s laws and standards. That’s incredible! 

What comes to mind when contrasting your power with Gods?

Do you see yourself with a perfect record?

Where are you keeping score of sins and mistakes?

What areas are you trusting in your own power?

Where could you trust in God’s resurrection power? 

Previous: Romans 4:22  Next: Romans 4:25

Original article published July 17, 2009.

Juli debunks the myth that we need to work hard at pleasing God. She unpacks a powerful scripture nestled inside Romans, Chapter 8, explaining how God has adopted us into his family as children, not hired hands. Juli shares a simple truth that in Christ, we have a new status, a new family and a new future. 

*Juli taught this sermon at Orchard Hill Church on November 10, 2019.

"This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness" (Romans 4:22)

Paul, the author of Romans uses Abraham to clarify this point: “Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring...” (Romans 4:16a). 

His point? We have to put complete trust in God to do what we cannot do ourselves. Abraham trusted God when facing impossible circumstances (Rom. 4:19). In the same way, we have to trust God when He says acceptance and right-standing with Himself (righteousness) comes through faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:22). 

Remember, Paul’s whole argument in Romans until this point is that the living well by following the rules (law) can never save us. The laws purpose is to defeat us so we’ll look outside of ourselves for help (Rom. 3:19-20; 7:10; Gal. 3:10, 23). Abraham’s story is a hyperbolic example of knowing defeat and then looking to God for help.

Abraham’s deep trust in God was the sole reason God called Abraham righteous (acceptable, right, virtuous, good, excellent). It was nothing he did; it was everything God did.

What stirs in you when you hear God declared Abraham was righteous based on nothing he did to earn it? 

In what areas of your life are you trying hard to earn God’s acceptance?

Where can you practice trusting in God today?

Previous: Romans 4:21-22  Next: Romans 4:23-24

Original article published July 16, 2009.

"Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised" (Romans 4:20-21)

I remember sitting in an Easter service, tears rolling down my face. My heart cried for children but the constant waiting brought doubt to the surface. Holidays amplified grief.

I remember God’s presence in that moment. I told Him if I never experienced children, it wouldn’t change my belief He had good intentions toward me. We experience brokenness in life but the pain of this world can never overshadow God’s goodness, even if we don’t always see it.

It was one of those declarations that sometimes go unsaid but important to say. Doubt would break something between me and God if I allowed it. I couldn’t nurse resentment or doubt His character. This was my version of what happened with Abraham.

Faith and doubt work together in opposite directions to strengthen trust in God. Coming face to face with doubts, always results in deeper faith. God shows up in questions, even if we never get answers.

Abraham experienced this too. He wrestled with reality. He was old, Sarah was old, she was barren (Rom. 4:19). All reasons to doubt. Abraham also had to wrestle with God’s promise: I will bless and make you the Father of many nations (Gen. 12:2-3; 15:5; 17:5-6). Faith and doubt worked in opposite directions helping Abraham persuade himself God was bigger than the circumstances. 

Abraham gave Glory to God, this is key. Through struggle, he got his eyes off circumstances and onto God’s power. Faith swelled until he persuaded himself that God would do what He promised. 

Where are you struggling with doubt?

Is doubt overshadowing your ability to trust God?

What is one way to persuade yourself of God’s power to rescue you? 

Previous: Romans 4:19  Next: Romans 4:22

Original article published July 15, 2009.