Romans 5

Romans 5 starts out with one of the most famous passages of the Bible. Paul tells us that faith (trust, investment) is all that is needed for a full relationship to God. Good deeds do not make us any more loved. However, good deeds are a sign that the relationship is there. In other words, deeds don't get you the relationship but you are expected to act like a person in relationship to God. Strictly by God's good grace, we are acceptable. Good deeds are a sign that we have accepted God's offer.

 

Notice that right after this, Paul describes the costs of accepting God's offer. The costs lead to a fully developed person who is at peace. The trials don't god away just because we are Christians. The trials don't go away just because God loves us.

 

Paul shows that Jesus "undid" what started with Adam – rebellion and the consequences. The consequences were death – permanent alienation from God. We all share Adam's rebellion and we now all share Christ's sacrifice for us and our sins.

The Law lead to continual falling short on our part not to mention all sorts of rationalizations we make. God's grace was that all of us should have access to Him regardless of our past sins.