A lesson by Pastor John Skaggs

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church

Date: 10-4-98

Sermon Number: Romans #28

Text: Romans 5:9-11

Perseverance of the Saints

Large, complicated, construction projects have always fascinated me. I suppose its because I have built a few things myself and understand, to a degree, what skill and wisdom it would take to build something like a skyscraper. I am awe struck in the presence of these structures. But I am also comfortable in coming to this conclusion. That the man or company who was able to design and build such a magnificent structure could perform the lesser task of building a three bedroom frame house.

Likewise those who build the many freeways in the Phoenix area would have no problem with the lessor task of creating a dirt road. I look at the construction, recently completed, at Roosevelt Lake and, again, I am amazed. I think of the underwater diversion tunnel that was blasted through solid rock by divers and of the complex bridges and access roads. I think of the millions of yards of concrete that was poured into forms made to just the right specifications. What a enormous undertaking that was. By looking at the beautiful result I can safely conclude that the same construction companies would have no trouble at all building an earthen dam for a stock tank.

These statements are meant to show that the accomplishment of a great task implies the ability to accomplish a lessor one. The Apostle Paul uses this type of argument in our text today. He does so to prove that since God has accomplished the great work of saving the believing sinner He can and will see him safely to heaven. Paul speaks of the security of the believer. Let us hear the argument.

(Romans 5:6-11 NASB) "For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. {7} For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. {8} But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. {9} MUCH MORE THEN, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. {10} For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, MUCH MORE, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. {11} And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation."

The passage before us is one of the greatest and clearest concerning the doctrine of eternal security. It was put here by God the Spirit for our instruction and especially our comfort.

Verse nine begins with the words, "Much more then." These words look backward to our justification by the blood of Christ. To the fact that by His death we were reconciled to God, we were saved from the wrath to come. By His death believers have peace with God, stand in grace, and have God the Holy Spirit living in them. They have been saved. But the words also point to the future. They have to do with the question, "How will those whom God has justified continue? Will they persevere? Will they make it to heaven at last? Paul's says, that in light of what God has already done for the saved their future safety is virtually guaranteed.

The Amplified Bible is useful at this point. Romans 5:9 "Therefore, since we are now justified - acquitted, made righteous and brought into right relationship with God - by Christ's blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God. {10} For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more [certain], now that we are reconciled that we shall be saved [daily delivered from sin's dominion] through His [resurrection] life."

What this tells us, brothers and sisters, is that salvation is all of grace from beginning to end. God saved us and He will keep us in the way of salvation till we stand before Him at last. "Having now been justified by His blood," the future is secure!

To be justified is to be pardoned, declared clean, innocent, righteous and accepted by God. This justification of sinners was the greatest work ever undertaken. It all came to pass in accord with the eternal plan of God. This plan has been working itself out through the centuries. It is a plan that required the sovereign predestination of all the actions of men and beasts. It required the perfect ordering of all the stars and planets. It required the perfect orchestration of all the cataclysmic events in all of history. It required the ordaining of the time of everyone's birth and death. It is a plan so complex, so large in scale, that none but the divine mind could conceive it and none but God could carry it out. In eternity past God determined to glorify Himself by saving sinners from the consequences of their sin. He would do so by the blood of His Son. This He has accomplished.

At the right time God became flesh and dwelt among us. At the right time Christ died for the helpless, and ungodly. He died for sinners. He died to justify people who were unable to comprehend spiritual truths. He died to give ears to those who could not hear the voice of God. He died for those who could not see the kingdom of God. For those who could not come to Christ. For those who could not subject themselves to the law of God. For those who could not perform even one righteous and acceptable deed before God. He died for the spiritually dead. He died for His enemies. He died for us, brothers and sisters, for us. Christ died, the just for the unjust that He might bring us to God. This is the greatest display of wisdom and power, and grace, and love, that will ever be seen by men. God has accomplished the greatest thing that will ever be accomplished. The parting of the red sea does not compare. The ten plagues of Egypt, in fact, the creation of the world does not compare to God justifying sinners by the sacrifice of His Son. Paul argues, that in light of so great a salvation we should have no fear of the future. God will not allow us to be lost between our rebirth and heaven? Having preformed this greatest of works, God will see to our final salvation. He will preserve us from the wrath to come. Hear the word of the Lord.

(Philippians 1:6 NASB) "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." These are the words of the Apostle. He was confident that his salvation was all of grace from the beginning to the end. By the Spirit he wants us to enjoy that same confidence and the peace that accompanies it. So he argues, "If God has saved you, beloved, you may know beyond any doubt that He will keep you safe."

Verse ten restates the argument. (Romans 5:10 NASB) "For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."

The work of our justification and reconciliation was undertaken at a point in time when we were virtually enemies of God. By grace and by power He accomplished His purpose in that we were changed from enemies into friends. Though we were strangers to the promises, excluded from the common blessing that God's people enjoyed. Though we were far off, without hope, and without God in this world, we have been brought near by the blood of Jesus. We have been reconciled. The enmity between us and God has been removed. By Christ's work on the cross we are no longer enemies we are sons and daughters by adoption. Look with me at

Galatians 4:1-7 NASB. "Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, {2} but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. {3} So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. {4} But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, {5} in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, THAT WE MIGHT RECEIVE THE ADOPTION AS SONS. {6} And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" {7} Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God."

We have been made sons of God and joint heirs with Christ! We are members of the Divine family. We are accepted in His beloved Son. The evil has been made to dwell with the Holy! How can it be? In light of this great work, Paul argues, "Much more then having been reconciled to God through the death of His Son we shall be saved by His life." He argues from the greater work of redemption to the lessor work of taking us safely to glory.

There is more to consider in verse ten. (Romans 5:10 NASB) For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, WE SHALL BE SAVED BY HIS LIFE.

First Paul says we were reconciled through Christ's death. One's dying is generally seen to be his weakest moment. The death of Christ seemed to be His defeat, the overthrow of all His plans. His enemies were jubilant. Yet the effect of Christ's work, in His, so called, weakest moment, was to reconcile us to God. So Paul contends that if in Christ's dying He had the power to redeem us, to reconcile us to God, surely in His living He will be able to keep us safe. Now that His weakest moment has passed, now that He is risen from the dead, now that He is exalted to the right hand of God, now that He is the triumphant Redeemer who lives to make intercession for us, will He not save us from the wrath to come? Will He let us go our way into hell having done all things necessary to save us? The answer is no!! We were reconciled to God by Christ's death and we shall be saved from any future danger by His life or, "Because He lives to make intercession for us."

Let us rejoice in the words of our Lord as found in John 14:19 NASB. "After a little while the world will behold Me no more; BUT YOU WILL BEHOLD ME; BECAUSE I LIVE, YOU SHALL LIVE ALSO." Ask yourself this question, "Is Jesus my Lord and Savior, do I trust in Him alone for acceptance with God?" If the answer is yes then listen to your Savior's words and rest in them as concerns you future and final salvation, "Because I live, you shall live also." This statement ought to be a great comfort to all Christians.

Along these same lines let's consider our Lord's last will and testament and how that relates to our eternal security. Look with me at Hebrews 9:15-17 NASB.

"And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, in order that since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. {16} For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. {17} For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives."

In order for this passage to make sense we must view this "covenant" or "testament" as a "will." The word used allows us to have all these ideas in our mind at once as we read the passage. Christ's will then is that all the redeemed receive an eternal inheritance, (verse fifteen). This inheritance is of course, eternal life in heaven forever. This is Christ's will for us or His last will and testament. That this is His will for us is further proven by the words of John 6:37-40 NASB.

"All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. {38} "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but THE WILL OF HIM WHO SENT ME. {39} "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. {40} "For THIS IS THE WILL OF MY FATHER, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him, may have eternal life; and I Myself will raise him up on the last day."

This text shows us that the will of God was that Christ redeem all the elect given to Him for redemption. It is obvious that the will of God was Christ's will also as seen by His actions and His sacrifice on the cross. Earlier in John 4:34 Jesus makes it very clears that His will and the Father's are one. "Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work."

Then in John seventeen Jesus reveals, beyond any doubt, that He desires the eternal salvation of all those put in His charge by God.

(John 17:1-4 NASB) These things Jesus spoke; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify Thy Son, that the Son may glorify Thee, {2} even as Thou gavest Him authority over all mankind, that to all whom Thou hast given Him, HE MAY GIVE ETERNAL LIFE. {3} "And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. {4} "I glorified Thee on the earth, HAVING ACCOMPLISHED THE WORK WHICH THOU HAST GIVEN ME TO DO." God had told the Son to save the elect and see to it that they were raised from the dead and taken to Heaven. Jesus says, "I have accomplished the work which Thou has given Me to do." It is finished, it has been completed. Look with me also at John 17:24 NASB.

"Father, I desire that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, BE WITH ME WHERE I AM, in order that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me; for Thou didst love Me before the foundation of the world. Christ's prayer is that all the given ones, the elect from every nation, be with Him where He is. In other words, He has no intention of losing even one of God's elect people but, rather, of taking them to heaven that they may behold the fulness of His glory.

This is the last will and testament of our Lord Jesus Christ. Just a little while after He spoke these words He died and, from the human point of view, His will went into effect. There are times on earth when every whim and desire of the deceased as recorded in his will is carried out under the watchful eye of some faithful executor. On the other hand, there are times when the will of a deceased person is contested, or lost, or tampered with so that the dead person's wishes are not carried out. This is something we need never fear as concerns the will of Christ. For not only has Christ willed our initial and eternal salvation He has died that this will might take effect. But more than that, He has risen from the dead and is the faithful executor of His own will! He lives today, right now, and forever to make intercession FOR US in accord with His will. Our Savior who died now lives to intercede, to stand before God in our place, to thwart any accusation that might be brought against us, to keep us from the evil one, to see us through every trial. The Lamb that was slain is alive! The Christ who preformed the great and terrible work of redemption, who declared it is finished, lives and sees to our continuance, to our perseverance, and preservation. It is His will that we make it all the way to heaven. Therefore, we are secure.

The text is clear as a bell. (Romans 5:9-11 NASB) Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. {10} For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. {11} And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Truly there is great reason to rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. For we have received the reconciliation and are saved now and for eternity.

But what about the church as a whole? This is, after all, our sixteenth anniversary. Will the church persevere? Will the church continue? Will she make it to the end. In truth the question has already been answered. For the people of God are the church. We are individual members of the body, we are the bride of Christ. We will be saved individually and collectively by the blood and life of Christ. The following words may be applied to both the individual Christian and the Church as a whole. Hear the word of the Lord.

(Psalms 125:1-2 NASB) (A Song of Ascents.) "Those who trust in the LORD Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. {2} As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the LORD surrounds His people From this time forth and forever."

(Isaiah 54:17 NASB) "No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me," declares the LORD.

(Romans 8:33-34 NASB) "Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; {34} who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us."

(Hebrews 12:25-29 NASB) "See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less shall we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven. {26} And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, "YET ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO THE HEAVEN." {27} And this expression, "Yet once more," denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, in order that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. {28} Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; {29} for our God is a consuming fire."

(Revelation 21:1-7 NASB) "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. {2} And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. {3} And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them, {4} and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." {5} And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." {6} And He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. {7} "He who overcomes shall inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son."

The final word today must be Christ's, "Because I live you will live also." When our great Savior ceases to exist then the redeemed can be lost and His church will disappear but until then we can rest and look forward to Heaven.