WEEK 1 — The Greatest Love Story (Romans 5)

“There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.” —Corrie Ten Boom

Overview
Adam seemed to have blown it for all of us, for it was by his direct disobedience to God that sin entered into the world. But Romans 5 explains that Jesus, the second Adam, recovered all and then some, with His absolute obedience and death for us on the cross. While we were still wallowing in sin, Jesus sacrificed His life so we could have one. Through faith in Him and His sacrifice, we are justified, can stand blameless before Him, and are given entry into His abounding grace. Life may still continue to deal hard blows our way, but Paul encourages us that in Christ, tribulations develop us and lead to a greater hope in God’s love. It’s a love that will never disappoint and is a hope obtained through Christ alone.

The greatest love story ever told was not written by man, but it was lived out in the life of Jesus. As the song states…Jesus paid it all. There was no way we could ever hope to have eternal life or a relationship with the Almighty God of the universe. So He took it upon Himself to become a man and die for our sins as the perfect sacrifice on Calvary. He did this for us, because we could not do it for ourselves. He didn’t have to do it - but in doing this - He demonstrates His incredible, amazing love.

Memorize
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5 (NKJV)
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when 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 that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. 12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— 13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Confession
God I thank You for the love that You demonstrated for me on Calvary. Thank You for Your grace that is at work in my life. I am grateful for forgiveness and mercy. Please help me to be convinced of Your love for me every day, and to live with the assurance that nothing can separate me from Your love. Let me search the Bible each day with a desire for You to speak into my spirit. I will not try to hide or avoid You when You are dealing with me. Please help me this week to allow the Holy Spirit to take control of my thought life and decision making so that I can be alive in the Spirit.

THOUGHTS…INSIGHT…What is the Lord saying to me?

Project 52 Devotional (2021)
by Amazon.com Services LLC
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