Romans 5:6-11 By seeking Christ and His righteousness alone, we maximise the power of the blood
Romans 5:6-11 By seeking Christ and His righteousness alone, we maximise the power of the blood.
6 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.
Background
It is Christ’s love for sinners displayed on the cross that destroyed the devil and his works. As Christ shed His blood, His blood cleanses my spirit and ego filling me with His divine qualities. The primary purpose of Christ’s ministry is to cause humanity to progress towards perfection (righteousness). Therefore, we must seek first His righteousness as opposed to the comfort of life. Today’s devotion teaches us: By seeking Christ and His righteousness alone, we maximise the power of the blood.
Observation
For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
While humanity regresses towards eternal destruction, being imprisoned by sin (the corrupt human ego), Christ died. Christ’s sacrifice destroyed the devil’s power and the human ego freeing humanity to progress towards righteousness. “At the right time” speaks of a divine timing derived from God’s infinite wisdom.
For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
From the perspective of worthiness, it is unlikely to give one’s life to save a lawful (righteous) man who has never committed a crime. Perhaps for a good man who often goes beyond the call of duty to help others, one would die for. But for a sinner who is neither lawful or good, it is shocking even to consider dying for him. To die for a good man may be acceptable because he will live to bring more good to the world. But to die for a sinner is stupidity because the chance of him turning from his evil ways to do good is remote. Here, the magnitude of Christ’s love is displayed: Christ died for a hardened sinner even though the chance of him turning around is one out of a million.
That said, for what purpose did Christ die for the sinner, for the lawful man, or for the good man? It is so that all may possess Christ’s divine qualities (righteousness). Christ died not to make one lawful or even good, but to make one perfect.
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
Here, Paul states the primary purpose of shedding Christ’s blood is to cause humanity to progress towards righteousness and perfection. When Christ shed His blood, the Holy Spirit carries the blood into our spirit putting to death our corrupt and rebellious ego. In so doing, we become a new spirit, a new creation with righteous inclinations and desires. As a result, we are no longer subject to the wrath of God on the day of judgment. Put it simply, one whose spirit is regenerated to love God and people will no longer fear retribution or the wrath of God.
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.
To reconcile is to restore our relationship with God as sons. To be “saved by His life” is to attain the state of divine blessedness; reconciliation with God as His sons and to rule the multiverse with Him. As long as we remain faithful as sons, a blessed life will naturally be ours.
In a nutshell, Christ’s blood accomplished three things as described below:
- Christ’s blood destroys the corrupt human ego which is the source of pride, selfishness, lust, hate, fear, anxiety and hopelessness. Every time we face temptations, we invoke Christ’s blood which imbues within us humility, perseverance, love, peace, hope, wisdom and power.
- Christ’s blood frees us from the fear of retribution and punishment. When I invoke the blood, I am assured that the troubles of today are not retributions but opportunities for growth.
- Christ’s blood restores our relationship with God as sons. Every time we feel estranged from God, we invoke the blood which laid for us a trail into divine inheritance which is to rule all things.
Truth
The straw that broke the devil’s back is love.
As Christ hung on the cross, He forgave His tormentors. What seemed like abject weakness and cowardice came the power that destroyed the devil and the corrupt human ego. What made Christ’s blood effective is the way He offered it; without complaining, He forgave His tormentors. The secret is in not Christ’s miraculous abilities but His love. The devil is not afraid to fight power with power, violence with violence, but He is petrified by our love for God and for others. It is love that paralyses the devil. Paul explained how we can overcome evil in the world,
“But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him A drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. – Romans 12:20-21
The devil is afraid of one who does all things out of sacrificial love. It is our love that empowers the angels to destroy demons and their works. Even if we possess great spiritual powers, but if our motives are self-serving, we will not cause so much as a dent in the devil’s stronghold. Paul said,
If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. – 1 Corinthians 13:2-3
“I am nothing” means “I am useless”. “It profits me nothing” means “I have not achieved anything or become a better person”. Therefore, our love for God and for people is the very foundation on which we do all things (house chores, career, ministry work etc).
By seeking Christ and His righteousness alone, we maximise the power of the blood
As the primary purpose of Christ’s blood is for our righteousness’ sake, to seek otherwise is to take His blood in vain. Many Christians are content just to be freed from hell. They may sound pious at the onset, but it reveals their shallowness. Jesus thanked God for accomplishing great things through His hands. At the raising of Lazarus, Jesus thanked the Father for always hearing Him and using Him to do His will,
“Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.” – John 11:41-42
Yet, some fill their prayers with a never-ending list of personal concerns. Jesus never taught His disciples to pray that way. Jesus prays, so that He may understand the Father’s plans and accomplish them. Jesus spends all night praying for divine guidance before gathering His disciples.
It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles. – Luke 6:12-13
Jesus and His disciples have never sought to make their lives more comfortable. Their vision is to know God’s will and accomplish it. And in the course of fulfilling God’s will, God blesses them with all things needed for abundant living.
Salvation is not the goal, but righteousness is
Salvation and blessing are not the goal, but they are by-products of Christ’s righteousness. If we set Christ’s righteousness as the goal, salvation and blessing will automatically be added to us. Jesus said,
Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – Matthew 6:31-33
If salvation and the comfort of life become our vision and goal, we lose the blessings that belong to the higher order: the glory that Christ possesses. But if we keep our eyes focused on attaining Christ’s righteousness, God shares His glory with us, and blesses in ways we cannot imagine. Many came to God because of a need. But having received what they initially came for, they did not continue in their pursuit of righteousness. They are like the rich young man, and the 5000 whom Jesus fed. They are satisfied with just being a lawful person and occasionally a good person, but have no desire to follow Jesus to attain perfection. Such will miss out on the glorious blessing and reward associated with the highest order; to be seated at Christ left and right.
How do we seek to attain Christ’s righteousness?
We seek Christ’s righteousness through self-reflection and by communing with Christ continually. Self-reflection and intimate communion with God come hand in hand. Through intimate communion with God, we receive divine revelations. Through self-reflection, we internalise His revelations resulting in faith, wisdom and divine authority. We draw close to Christ by conversing with Him. Here are some suggestions:
- I ask God to what degree my life journey is aligned with His perfect plan.
- I ask Him to show me the tasks for each day.
- I ask God to what degree my work pleases Him.
- I ask Him to show me how I can solve complex issues.
- I ask Him to show me the future and how I can fit into His plans.
- I ask God to what degree our nation’s ideals and aspirations are aligned with Him.
Application
What drives you in your career and ministry? Is it love of money? Or achievement? Or is it the desire to contribute to society? We must do all things because we love God and people. Ask God to sanctify your motivations so that your work may become a blessing to the world.
How much do you pursue God’s righteousness as opposed to other things? Discipline yourself to converse with God unceasingly. Practice self-reflection. In so doing, we may possess His virtues and wisdom to overcome our troubles and to help others in their time of uncertainty.
Dear Lord, I thank you for the ministry of your blood. I invoke your blood to sanctify my soul from all darkness. By your blood, I declare salvation upon my family, my church and my nation. And I declare freedom from all sicknesses, poverty and curses. Cause me to become more like you and to be a blessing to the world. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.