Daily Devotions
Romans
"Many will be made righteous..."
Text: Romans 5:19
INTENSITY OF STUDY
Paul’s study of the doctrine of justification was intensely detailed. This doctrine was the cornerstone! Thus it merited returning to the same subject, over and over again.
“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners,
so also by One Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.”Romans 5:19
A VITAL STATEMENT ABOUT OBEDIENCE AND DISOBEDIENCE
Paul’s focus on the theme of “obedience and disobedience” would probably be better appreciated if we were to look at a significant statement found in the Old Testament. These words were uttered by the prophet Samuel to King Saul.
“So Samuel said,
‘Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
He also has rejected you from being king.”1 Samuel 15:22-23
1. Disobedience described:-
a) It is Rebellion.
b) It reveals Stubbornness.
c) It involves Rejection of the Word of the Lord.
2. Obedience
a) God takes great delight in it.
b) It is esteemed far above all worship forms.
THE OBEDIENCE OF JESUS
Jesus knew what “obedience” meant to God! If He were to ever win justification for mankind, He would have to walk in perfect obedience to the Father and all His commandments!
The obedience of Christ would result in this great truth- “many will be made righteous.” Why “many” and not “all”? The individual would have to exercise personal faith in Jesus as his Saviour and Lord, before he can receive justification for life!