Today's reading is Romans 5. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. For just at the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man, someone might possibly dare to die. But God proves his love for us in this. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Therefore, since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through him? For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life? Not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men because all sinned. For sin was in the world before the law was given. But sin is not taken into account where there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who did not sin in the way that Adam transgressed. He is a pattern of the one to come. But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many? Again, the gift is not like the result of the one man's sin. The judgment that followed one's sin brought condemnation. But the gift that followed many trespasses brought justification. For if by the trespass of the one man death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive an abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. So then just as one trespass brought condemnation for all men, so also one act of righteousness brought justification and life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. The law came in so that the trespass would increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more. So that just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. This is God's Word. Romans 4 told us that people are declared righteous by faith, and that righteousness was secured by Jesus Christ. Today in chapter 5, verse 1 told us that the result of being declared righteous by faith is that we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. The next several verses went on to describe the future, that's verse 2 and then verses 9-11, and the present results of God's grace to us in Christ. Those present results are in verses 3-5. Verses 12-21 describe the one-to-many aspects of sin and salvation. In other words, it was by one man's sin that many became sinners. That's verses 12-14. Likewise, one man's gift made many righteous. That's verses 15-21. Since the gift, in other words, the grace of Jesus accomplished the salvation of many, grace now reigns in Jesus Christ, according to verse 21. The reign of that grace specifically is to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord, according to verse 21. This is one of the things we mean when we say that we live in the age of grace. It is true that there are still billions of sinners on the earth, and that physical death still holds power over all sinners. But it is also true that God is saving millions of people around the world through the grace that came through Jesus Christ. The age of grace is here. God is saving people through our Lord Jesus Christ. This is something to remind ourselves of as we talk with unbelievers. Instead of avoiding talk of eternity, we should believe the truth that God is saving people through Jesus Christ and that his grace which saved us is available to save others as well. Paul was not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes, according to chapter 1. Paul's confidence in the gospel is what made him an effective witness for Christ, not his experiences or his rhetorical abilities. It was his confidence, his faith, that made him an effective witness. So let's believe God's word ourselves, that in this age of grace, He will use us for the salvation of many. And let's look for ways to share that truth with others. And so I hope you'll do that today. for the glory of God. I'm also looking for financial support to help me in this work. And if you're willing to help on a monthly basis, please go to dailypbj.com slash support and sign up there. Finally, would you share this video with someone else so that they can grow in their faith and that I can grow my audience? I really appreciate it. May God bless you. We'll see you next time.