Last Sunday, I stressed that a goal for our pulpit is to consider how sound doctrine shapes how we see life. It’s worth glancing at the sermon notes again to recall not only some of the definitions I gave so we could digest the passage, but also how this doctrine would shape our approach to different situations in life.
Always Be Connecting Sound Doctrine with Life and Experience, Pastor Chris Brauns, Romans 5:6-11, 3/27/11
But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine (Titus 2:1). It’s not enough to teach sound doctrine. We must demonstrate how that doctrine fits with life.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with complete patience and teaching (2 Timothy 3:16-4:2). Scripture is good for something! It is profitable.
Terms: We cannot digest Romans 5:6-11 apart from reflecting on these terms.
Lostness / total depravity – Without Christ, all people are radically corrupted at the core of our being. We are dead in our transgressions (Eph 2:1-3, Titus 3:3, John 6:65). This does not mean all people are as bad as they could be. It does mean that we are completely and utterly unable to save ourselves. We need to be born again.
Blood – “The blood of Christ is the clear outward evidence that his life blood was poured out when he died a sacrificial death to pay for our redemption (Grudem, Larger Systematic, 579).” Grudem also quotes Leon Morris, “the blood of Christ means his death in its saving aspects.” See 1 Peter 1:18-19.
Justified- This is a legal term that means being declared righteous in Christ (Romans 5:1, 8:1).
Reconciled – To be brought back into fellowship with God through Christ (See 2 Corinthians 5:11-21).
Substitutionary atonement – The truth that Christ stood in the place of Christians and took upon himself the punishment we deserve.
Wrath of God – It is an oft repeated truth in the Bible that God will punish sin. John 3:36 stresses that whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. Ephesians 2:3 says that, apart from Christ, we are “children of wrath.”
So how would this doctrine affect our approach to:
Parenting a small child – Our children are not born as blank moral slates . . .
Parenting an elementary age child – Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. We cannot just be “behavorists” as parents who raise well behaved children. We must evangelize them.
Being the victim of an horrific offense with an unrepentant offender–We can trust a just God for justice.
A major fight in your marriage- We ought to graciously forgive one another even as God forgave us.
Worship – “I will sing of my redeemer and his wondrous love for me, on the cruel cross he suffered, from the curse, to set me free.”
Facing the possibility of cancer –Whatever our lot, thou hast taught us to say, “It is well with my soul.:
