Romans 5:10 “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”
Is that all there is to being a Christian? What else is required of a Christian beyond accepting the gift of salvation from God in Christ? Paul often used the phrase “much more!” to describe the Christian life. It appears no less than five times in the entire book of Romans.
In order that He might also sacrifice His life for us, Jesus Christ offered His life. So that we might be living sacrifices for His sake, He gave His life for us. He has endowed us with everlasting life, and we find this life in His Son (1 John 5:11–12). The Son is life for those who receive Him, and death is for those who reject Him.
Reconciliation with God and eternal life in paradise are only some of the many blessings of salvation. It’s living this life with Jesus today in anticipation of spending eternity with Him. As one preacher once put it, “The Christian life isn’t just pie in the sky when you die by and by; it’s steak on your plate while you wait!”
Belief entails far more than just anticipating a celestial reward. The abundant life that Jesus came to provide anyone who would follow Him is what it means to really live. The key is to let Christ live in you, just as He lived in the flesh. Jesus declared, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10).
We can be made right with God via His death. Our sins no longer create a rift between us and God. He put them to death on the cross and then forgave us for our sins – both old and new. Then, as if that weren’t enough, “much more” is thrown in! “… His life will save us after we have been reconciled.” We get an even clearer understanding of its relevance from the Amplified Bible:
“Since our reconciliation with God through His Son’s death occurred even while we were His enemies, it is much more certain that His resurrection life will save us from sin’s dominion every day.”
Christ’s death reconciled us; the action is now accomplished. It’s a done deal. I’m finally at peace with God! But there’s much more!
Jesus didn’t die on the cross for my sins and then abandon me to wring my hands in cosmic retribution until His return to judge my works. He arose from the grave to dwell in me by the power of His Spirit so that I would partake in His life, joy, strength, provision, power, peace, and purpose as He triumphed over sin.
Christianity as taught in the Bible cannot be defined by anything other than Christ living in you. “Christ lives in me…” Paul proclaimed. (Colossians 1:21)
Every day, as you worship the One Who died and rose again to save you from the power of sin and all your hurts, habits, and hang-ups, you should rejoice in your faith even more.
Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”