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AUGUST 4
condemnation, even so through one Man’s 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense
righteous act the free gift came to all men, result- might abound. But where sin abounded, grace
ing in justification of life. For as by one man’s abounded much more, so that as sin reigned
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disobedience many were made sinners, so also in death, even so grace might reign through
by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteousness to eternal life through Jesus
righteous. Christ our Lord.
DAY 3:What are the results of being justified by faith?
Having proven that God justifies sinners on the basis of faith alone, Paul now counters the
notion that, although believers receive salvation by faith, they will preserve it by good works (Rom.
5:1–11). He argues that they are bound eternally to Jesus Christ, preserved by His power and not by
human effort (Is.11:5; Ps.36:5; Lam.3:23; Eph.1:18–20; 2 Tim.2:13; Heb.10:23).“Having been justified
by faith”(v.1).The Greek construction—and its English translation—underscores that justification is
a one-time legal declaration with continuing results, not an ongoing process.“We have peace with
God.”Not a subjective,internal sense of calm and serenity,but an external,objective reality.God has
declared Himself to be at war with every human being because of man’s sinful rebellion against Him
and His laws (v. 10; 1:18; 8:7; Ex. 22:24; Deut. 32:21, 22; Ps. 7:11; John 3:36; Eph. 5:6). But the first great
result of justification is that the sinner’s war with God is ended forever (Col.1:21,22).Scripture refers
to the end of this conflict as a person’s being reconciled to God (vv.10,11; 2 Cor.5:18–20).
“Through whom also we have access by faith” (v. 2). Used only twice elsewhere in the New
Testament (Eph. 2:18; 3:12), this word always refers to the believer’s access to God through Jesus
Christ. What was unthinkable to the Old Testament Jew is now available to all who come (Jer.
32:38,40; Heb. 4:16; 10:19–22; Matt. 27:51).“Grace in which we stand.”This refers to the permanent,
secure position believers enjoy in God’s grace (v. 10; 8:31–34; John 6:37; Phil. 1:6; 2 Tim. 1:12; Jude
24).“And rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Unlike the English word “hope,” the New Testament
word contains no uncertainty.It speaks of something that is certain,but not yet realized.The believ-
er’s ultimate destiny is to share in the very glory of God (8:29,30;John 17:22;2 Cor.3:18;Phil.3:20,21;
1 John 3:1,2), and that hope will be realized because Christ Himself secures it (1 Tim. 1:1). Without
the clear and certain promises of the Word of God,the believer would have no basis for hope (15:4;
Ps. 119:81,114; Eph. 2:12; Jer. 14:8).

enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower
AUGUST 4 them, the opposite occurred, in that the Jews
themselves overpowered those who hated
them. The Jews gathered together in their
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cities throughout all the provinces of King
Esther 9:1–10:3
Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought
Now in the twelfth month, that is, the their harm. And no one could withstand them,
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9 month of Adar, on the thirteenth day, the because fear of them fell upon all people. And
time came for the king’s command and his all the officials of the provinces, the satraps,
decree to be executed. On the day that the the governors, and all those doing the king’s
work, helped the Jews, because the fear of
Mordecai fell upon them. For Mordecai was
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great in the king’s palace, and his fame spread
throughout all the provinces; for this man
9:1 twelfth month. During the period Mordecai became increasingly prominent.
February-March. Here is a powerful statement 5 Thus the Jews defeated all their enemies with
with regard to God’s providential preservation the stroke of the sword, with slaughter and
of the Jewish race in harmony with God’s destruction, and did what they pleased with
unconditional promise to Abraham (Gen. those who hated them.
17:1–8). This providential deliverance stands
6 And in Shushan the citadel the Jews killed
in contrast to God’s miraculous deliverance of 7
the Jews from Egypt; yet in both cases the and destroyed five hundred men. Also
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same end had been accomplished by the Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, Poratha,
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supernatural power of God. Adalia, Aridatha, Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai,
and Vajezatha— the ten sons of Haman the
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son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews—
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