In our last lesson we began a series called Much More. In Romans 5 we read seven times where the apostle Paul makes a declaration and then tells us that we have even more than that (cf. Romans 5:3, 9, 10, 11, 15, 17, 20). We notice in our last lesson that the “much more” that Paul proclaims that is that we rejoice in our sufferings. In our text today we are going to see Paul give us three “much more” statements. Open your copies of God’s word to Romans 5:6-11 and we are going to see what more we have in Christ.
Before we can understand what the apostle Paul is going to show us, we need to remember what he taught in Romans 5:1-5. Paul has revealed that we have peace with God because we have been justified by faith through our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Romans 5:1). Further, we have obtained access into this grace in which we stand (cf. Romans 5:2). Finally, we rejoice in our sufferings because we know that God is at work in us. God is using our suffering to produce endurance which produces character which produces hope which will not put us to shame. Notice how Paul ends this idea. Our hope will not disappoint because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. This is a key place of hope for us. God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. The question that immediately arises is this: What does this look like? How do I know that I have God’s love? What should I be looking at in my life? This is where Paul is going and what Paul is answering in these next verses…