Verse 10
The fourth and worst term used to describe those for whom Christ died is "enemies." People are not only helpless to save themselves (Romans 5:6), neglectful of God (Romans 5:6), and wicked (Romans 5:8), but they also set themselves against God and His purposes. Even though many unsaved people profess to love God, God who knows their hearts sees opposition to Himself in them. Their antagonism toward Him is the proof of it.
Jesus Christ’s death reconciled us to God (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:18; Colossians 1:21-22). The Scriptures always speak of man as reconciled to God. They never speak of God as reconciled to man. God reconciles people to Himself, He redeems them from sin, and He propitiates Himself, all through the death of His Son. Man has offended and departed from God and needs reconciliation into relationship with Him. It is man who has turned from God, not God who has turned from man. [Note: See Lewis S. Chafer, Systematic Theology, 3:91-93.] There are two aspects of reconciliation: one for all mankind (2 Corinthians 5:19), and another for the believer (2 Corinthians 5:20). Jesus Christ’s death put mankind in a savable condition, but people still need to experience full reconciliation with God by believing in His Son.
Jesus Christ’s death is responsible for our justification. His continuing life is responsible for our progressive sanctification and our glorification. Having done the harder thing for us, delivering Christ to death to reconcile us to Himself, God will certainly do the easier thing. He will see that we share Christ’s risen life forever.
We experience continuing salvation (progressive sanctification) and ultimate salvation (glorification) because of Jesus Christ’s ongoing life. These present and future aspects of our salvation were not the direct results of His death, but they are the consequences of His life after death and resurrection (cf. Romans 6:8-13). We have salvation in the present and in the future because our Savior lives. He is still saving us. This verse shows that we are eternally secure.
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