Romans 5:9Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
What Paul's Saying...
INTERESTING POINT: Paul shows Justification and Salvation are
two separate things. He defines Justification as being covered by Christ blood/life, while
Salvation is future deliverance from God’s Wrath. Since Paul brings up God’s wrath again, we must return to it in context.
1. (In context) God
will judge all according their works (
Post #10) and his wrath
will be delivered to those who are disobedient (
Post #6).
2. Justification is by (having Abraham’s level of) faith in God who raised Christ (
post #222), and it’s a gift from God (
post #177 & #186)
3. One who is Justified is covered by Christ’s life/blood (
Post #223) –
past tense.
4. Grace (also received by faith in God) is the Power from Christ (
Post #2); the power not to sin (
Post #36). And as far as Paul says, it's the Power of Salvation (
Post #5)
from God’s wrath – future tense.
So it’s incorrect to say the phrase “we are now saved”...it’s better to say it like Paul says it:
“we (who continue to believe) will be saved” (from God’s wrath).
Right now, believers are “justified”. And they’re no longer weak because they also have Christ’s grace; the power
TO BE saved. Specifically, it’s the power to live an obedient life and not sin. It’s the "change of heart" (
post #29)...and the effect of that change is having Christ’s obedience (
Post #36 &
Post #39).
Christ’s obedience then fulfills the Law (
Post#12), as God
will judge everyone according to their works (
post #10).
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