1. God's Love Confirmed Through the Death of His Son When We Were Enemies
As Pastor David Jang (장다윗) emphasizes, Romans 5:6-11 stands out among the Apostle Paul's teachings on sin and salvation, especially highlighting the phrases "while we were still sinners" and "when we were God's enemies," demonstrating how astonishing and paradoxical God's love is. From Romans 1:18 to 3:20, Paul depicts the sinful state of humanity under God's wrath. Then, in 3:21 to 4:25, he explains the gospel of "justification by faith alone," namely that we are counted righteous because of Christ's righteousness. Beginning in chapter 5, Paul addresses the existence of the saved believer and the process of sanctification. In particular, in Romans 5:6-11, Paul proclaims how immense and marvelous the salvation given by God is, through the love of Christ who died for us "when we were weak, when we were sinners, when we were God's enemies."
While we were still weak-when there was nothing we could do on our own and no power could bring about self-salvation (Rom 5:6)-"in due time," Christ died for the ungodly. Paul's phrase "in due time" (see also Gal 4:4; Eph 1:9) indicates that God sent His Son for a decisive turnaround at the right moment when humanity, having built civilizations, institutions, and pride in self-righteousness, found itself sinking deeper into spiritual misery. Pastor David Jang underscores that "the Lord's love arrived precisely when our spiritual state was utterly weak and powerless." That was the "kairos" moment when human beings desperately longed for God's salvation.
"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom 5:8). Expounding on this verse, Pastor David Jang stresses that Christ's death is indeed the definitive event in which God unmistakably shows us His own love. The world often speaks of love as something given to "those who seem worthy of love." Yet Paul writes, "Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die" (Rom 5:7). Dying for an enemy or a sinner, in contrast to a righteous or good person, seems inconceivable from a rational or experiential standpoint. Even so, Christ willingly died for the ungodly-His enemies-and through this death, God's love was confirmed.
Here, "enemy" is more than just a feeling of hostility; it symbolizes fundamental rebellion and disobedience against the Creator God, along with the impiety of man-made secular civilization. The world at enmity with God is filled with a culture that refuses "to retain God in their knowledge," with people steeped in pride, self-righteousness, and unbelief, trying to solve everything on their own but ultimately falling into deeper despair. Though this world is hostile toward God, His paradoxical love chooses to send His Son to save those who are His enemies. Pastor David Jang calls this "God's unconditional and paradoxical love."
Above all, Paul focuses on the fact that Christ "died." Laying down one's life means relinquishing one's very existence-entering nonexistence. Nothing terrifies humans like death, which is ultimate destruction and the loss of all things. Yet it was precisely through that death that Jesus displayed "the ultimate love of giving His life for His enemies." Hence Paul declares that by dying "while we were still sinners," God's love for us was "confirmed." Embedded here is an undeniable demonstration of God's mercy. According to Pastor David Jang, no logic or reason in the world can overcome this "love revealed through death," which is the essence of the gospel and its greatest power.
This love aligns perfectly with John 3:16-"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son." Though Paul's expression and John's expression differ, they ultimately convey that through Christ's death and sacrifice, God's great love and the path of salvation were revealed. Those deserving death have been declared righteous; thus, we have now emerged from the place of being enemies and have been reconciled to God (Rom 5:10). Without Christ's atoning sacrifice, such grace would be utterly impossible. Pastor David Jang emphasizes that the heart of the gospel we must never forget is "the Lord died for me, a sinner." Even though humanity endlessly opposed and scorned God, the Lord humbly died on the cross. When we truly grasp this fact, we finally understand the essence of God's agape love.
Pastor David Jang also connects this to Jesus' teaching of the "Golden Rule" to "love your enemies" (Matt 5:43-48). The Law's standard might be "repay with good those who do good to you," but Jesus commands, "pray for those who persecute you." This is the path to resembling the perfection of God and is most vividly demonstrated by Christ's death. It is a love operating on a plane entirely different from the world's self-centered logic, concretely displayed in the crucifixion. Accordingly, the "reconciliation" (Rom 5:10-11) Paul speaks of originates in God's complete self-sacrifice in seeking out the lost.
When we behold the love that led Christ to die for sinners, we are freed from self-pity and despair and ushered into "the joy of salvation" (Rom 5:11). Upon realizing that God not only forgave our sins but also willingly made us His children, the genuine power of the gospel begins to move in our lives. Pastor David Jang insists that this is the core of the church's worship and spiritual life: continually remembering that "the Lord died for me," practically applying this grace in our daily lives, and proclaiming it. This, he says, is the path of faith.
All of this gospel is founded upon the love of God revealed "when we were enemies." The salvation we received was not gradually achieved through any institution or moral teaching; it was solely through the shed blood of Christ on the cross-His "precious blood." Though it was a one-time event, it is simultaneously a power that completely transforms our everyday lives. Pastor David Jang refers to it as "the amazing paradoxical power brought by the blood of Christ," and he emphasizes that whenever we hear this gospel, we should be moved to deep gratitude, joy, repentance, and resolve.
As Paul speaks of "Jesus, who suffered outside the gate" (Heb 13:12-13), stressing that we too should bear His reproach, the cross cannot be reduced to a mere doctrinal statement-"we are saved." It is the attitude of God toward sinners: infinite love, mercy, and forgiveness revealed through self-sacrifice. Contemplating the crucified Jesus, we are ultimately compelled to confess, "This is love" (1 John 4:10). Pastor David Jang frequently quotes this verse to emphasize that God's love is "not merely words but an actual event confirmed through action." When the church clings to this confirmed love and moves forward to serve the world and forgive its neighbors, the true power of the gospel is made manifest.
Therefore, the principal point in this first section is that the love of Christ, who died for sinners while they were still enemies, is the pinnacle of God's love. A sinner has no "worth" to be loved; rather, salvation comes through a subversive work of grace. Pastor David Jang calls this "the most important starting point" the church must hold on to. Our worship and sanctification must begin from this starting point-continuously engraving on our hearts, "The Lord died for me, a sinner"-and that, he teaches, is the true way to meet God fully.
2. Jesus Christ, the Sacrifice of Reconciliation, and the Transformation of Our Lives
Romans 5:10 declares, "For if while we were God's enemies we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!" Pastor David Jang focuses on this text to explain that Christ's death was not merely a one-time "death," but that, through the resurrected life, we come to experience the completion of salvation. Because the Son of God became the atoning sacrifice (the offering of reconciliation) and tore down the wall of sin, we have moved from being "condemned sinners" to becoming "God's children and friends." This signifies not just the restoration of relationship but also a concrete, actual transformation in our lives.
Reconciliation is a major theme throughout Paul's gospel (cf. 2 Cor 5:18-19). A sinner unable to be justified by the Law can now draw near to God solely through the blood of Jesus, gaining acceptance and love. However, Pastor David Jang insists this "reconciliation" cannot be limited to "I'm saved now; that's it." At Romans 5:11, Paul proclaims, "Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." This involves both "spiritual joy" and "a life of worship." Having left the place of sin and judgment, those declared righteous must walk a new path of truly worshiping God and finding joy in Him.
Pastor David Jang frequently highlights that salvation is not simply a "negative" rescue from hell; it is a "positive" entrance into a life abundantly rejoicing in God. In Romans 5:1-5, we already see that even in tribulations, we can rejoice and persevere in hope precisely because "God's love has been poured out into our hearts" (Rom 5:5). Thus, those who have entered the new law of life, having broken free from the law of sin and death, are not only declared righteous by the blood of Christ but also led to a fundamentally transformed daily life through participation in "His resurrection life."
Exploring the Old Testament peace offering (reconciliation offering) in Leviticus 3 and 7, we see how an Israelite who has sinned lays hands on an animal, transferring sin to it, and then the animal is slaughtered so its blood may secure atonement and reconciliation. By witnessing the shedding of blood and the scapegoat bearing all guilt into the wilderness (Lev 16:21-22), the sinner experiences, "I deserved death, but the sacrifice died in my place." Hebrews 13:11-12 also emphasizes that Jesus suffered outside the city gate, declaring, "And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through His own blood." Pastor David Jang explains that this is the fulfillment of the Old Testament rites and the realization of the true atoning sacrifice for peace. By fixing our eyes on Jesus, who took our sins upon Himself and was sacrificed, we see how "atonement for sin" and "true reconciliation with God" are accomplished.
Through Jesus Christ, the sacrifice of reconciliation, "the wall of hostility" between God and us is demolished, and we are reconciled to God. Yet Paul goes a step further in Romans 5:10, saying, "If while we were enemies we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!"-highlighting the power of the resurrection. Christ did not end in death; He rose from the grave and opened the way of life. Accordingly, those who believe in Christ do not merely rest in "my past sins are forgiven" but, having repented, move forward in "new life," following the path of the risen Christ. Pastor David Jang states, "The Lord who solved our sin problem by His death grants us new spiritual birth through His resurrection," and teaches that genuine conversion is evidenced by experiencing this connection between "death (repentance) and new life (resurrection)" in real life.
The theme Paul addresses from Romans 6 onward continues in this vein. Those who believe in Jesus "must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God" (Rom 6:11). The old self is crucified with Christ; we become a new creation who must walk daily under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Gal 2:20). Hence Christ's death and resurrection become our death and resurrection, and in daily life we show evidence of being "reconciled." At this point, Pastor David Jang asks, "Do you simply believe that the blood of the cross cleanses you, or do you also ask, 'How is this love renewing my life?'" Faith should not end as mere doctrinal assent but produce tangible fruit.
Pastor David Jang repeatedly references Hebrews 13:13-"Let us, then, go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace He bore." Just as the scapegoat for atonement faced death outside the camp, Jesus Christ also suffered outside the city gate. Therefore, we who have witnessed His sacrifice must likewise "go outside the camp." In other words, rather than avoiding our own hardships and shame, or fearing the scorn and ridicule of the world, we should partake in Christ's path. Rather than staying cozy inside the church, we must go into the world to cleanse the "temple" (whether our inner selves or the church community) that has degenerated into "a den of robbers," do so with the heart of Jesus, care for wounded neighbors, and practice practical obedience by sharing the gospel.
Such is the life of "those who have been reconciled." Faith must be confirmed not only confessionally or theoretically but also in real-world practice. Jesus telling us to be "the salt and light of the earth" is more than just an instruction to remain forgiven sinners; it is a call to proclaim the message of reconciliation in a world still under the dominion of sin and death (Matt 5:13-16). Pastor David Jang contends that when the church fulfills this role, the grace "freely given while we were still God's enemies through the death of His Son" is revealed once again to the world. Conversely, if the church merely judges sinners or clings to self-righteousness in religious forms, it becomes estranged from the world and ultimately loses the power of the gospel. But when we believe in the "sacrifice of reconciliation," Jesus, and strive to live out the love of the cross, God's mercy becomes tangibly visible to the world.
In Romans 5:9, Paul states, "Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through Him!" By the blood, we have already been declared righteous, and we can hold the future assurance that we will be saved from wrath and judgment. In this tension between the "already and not yet," Pastor David Jang underscores faith and hope, saying, "Our current situation may still be in the world, buffeted by storms and trials, but the living Christ is the firm reason we can maintain unwavering hope."
The Lord Jesus, who became our sacrificial offering for reconciliation, did not end His work in the past. He rose again, lives now, and continues to build His church and guide believers through the Holy Spirit. Without this ongoing spiritual fellowship, reconciliation may remain a formal pronouncement. With the Spirit's indwelling, however, we grow closer to God, turn from sin daily, and learn how to unite ourselves with Christ. Pastor David Jang calls this "the process of sanctification," explaining why those who have been saved must meditate on the Word daily, repent when confronted with sin, and practice loving and serving their neighbors.
Finally, Romans 5:11 says, "Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." Here is the conclusion brought by the gospel. Pastor David Jang, commenting on this verse, describes the ultimate destination of reconciliation as "joy in God." Once the wall between Creator and creation is removed, as His children we can cry "Abba, Father" (Rom 8:15) and enjoy genuine joy and freedom in that relationship. We no longer need to live under the weight of guilt and condemnation. We fear God not as a punishing judge but with reverent awe for our holy Father. The same goes for life in the church. When believers deeply experience the grace of reconciliation, they practice more forgiveness, understanding, patience, and compassionate care in their relationships. That is the hallmark of a community "rejoicing in God."
Romans 5:6-11 conveys two core messages. First, "while we were still sinners, while we were God's enemies," we have been justified solely by Christ's death and blood, confirming God's most overwhelming and astonishing love. Second, if we have been reconciled through Jesus, the atoning sacrifice, we must now live more abundantly in the life of the risen Christ, rejoicing in God and making His love visible through practical acts of love. Pastor David Jang teaches that only when these two are woven together does the complete power of the gospel emerge in the church and the world.
How, then, should we respond? Pastor David Jang summarizes as follows. First, we must acknowledge our "sinful condition" and confess in faith that through the cross of Jesus Christ, we have become "entirely redeemed." Second, we must not remain fixated on Christ's death alone but hold fast to the new life He opened to us in His resurrection. Third, following the example of Jesus, the sacrifice for reconciliation, we must practice self-emptying and humility to be reconciled with our neighbors. Only then does the gospel truth of "while we were enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son" shine forth in the church and in society.
Pastor David Jang also challenges us to apply this message to our church communities and to modern civilization as a whole. In a world overflowing with unbelief, division, atheism, and materialism, how much does the church actually display the character of a community of "those who were enemies, now reconciled"? We claim to believe in Jesus with our lips, but do we truly pursue His spirit of sacrifice, His humility shown outside the city gate? If the cross becomes fossilized within our churches-familiar only as doctrine-it loses its living power to shape the lives of believers. Hence, to ensure the cross and resurrection remain active forces within the church, we too must "go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace He bore" (Heb 13:13), remembering the Lord "who loved me while I was still a sinner" before condemning sinners around us, and actually granting forgiveness and reconciliation in real situations.
Thus, Romans 5:6-11 has both a breadth and depth that are simultaneously straightforward yet staggeringly transformative for our entire lives. The expressions "when we were still sinners" and "when we were enemies" sum up humanity's wretched condition; and yet, Jesus Christ died for us. This is the miracle of the gospel, and it yields the fruit of reconciliation-leading us to "rejoice in God" (Rom 5:11). Pastor David Jang repeatedly affirms that this is the heart of the message the church must continue to live out and preach.
What Pastor David Jang shows us through his exposition of Romans 5:6-11 is that for a sinful world at enmity with God, a new path of life has been opened "through the death of God's Son." This path surpasses a mere avoidance of punishment. It is a path of reconciliation with God, sharing in Christ's resurrection, and fully experiencing the joy of salvation. Church and believers must continually meditate on this great love and recognize that they have been called to be "ambassadors of reconciliation" (2 Cor 5:20) in their own lives and ministries. Relying on Christ's demonstrated sacrifice and devotion, they must set aside personal ambition and pride, serving their neighbors. Through such action, the world sees the reality of God's love.
Accordingly, the message of Romans 5:6-11 is by no means confined to historical events. We see sin, unbelief, conflict, and division all around us, indicating plenty of "enemies" remain in our midst. However, if the church clings to the gospel of the cross and, as Pastor David Jang says, strives to emulate "Jesus, who humbled Himself to the point of death for His enemies," supernatural power can turn the reality of enmity into one of reconciliation. The church's mission is to proclaim both the cross and the resurrection, and to demonstrate them in real life within its community, thereby testifying to the world that "God gave His Son for us."
When we address the real problems we face daily-relational conflicts and social evils-with the mind of Christ "who loved us when we were enemies," we become peacemakers (Matt 5:9) in the midst of the world. Though the path may be difficult and uncomfortable, the blood, resurrection, and ongoing presence of the Holy Spirit sustain us to the end. This is the true power of Christian faith. Pastor David Jang urges continuous contemplation of "the cross revealed while we were enemies," urging us to consider how such love might transform not only individual hearts but also the entire church and society.
In a single phrase, Romans 5:6-11 proclaims "God's love for sinners who were His enemies," made concrete through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This love begets reconciliation and peace within us, expanding outward so we can be reconciled to others as well. "Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation" (Rom 5:11) is the ultimate pronouncement of the joy and freedom bestowed upon every believer. Hence each of us must receive this grace by faith, enjoy it, and practice this ministry of reconciliation in the world. As Pastor David Jang has repeatedly emphasized in his long pastoral ministry, true salvation is not just proclaimed within the church walls but is also demonstrated in "actions that overcome enmity through reconciliation" in our daily lives outside the church. This is not mere moral effort; it is the "natural fruit of the new life" following the love already revealed on the cross.
When summed up in two points, these are: first, "God's love confirmed through the death of His Son when we were enemies," and second, "Jesus Christ, the sacrifice of reconciliation, and the transformation of our lives." These two spheres cannot be separated but together constitute the fullness of the gospel. We were once enemies but have become children of God, and now, through our reconciliation with Him, we must live in the resurrection life of Christ-demonstrating reconciliation and shining as salt and light in the world. Our confession of faith, and indeed the church's identity, revolve around these truths. Continually meditating on the sacrifice of the cross and the power of the resurrection, and choosing to bear fruit in reconciliation and service rather than division and hatred-this is what Paul defines as "true gospel living" in Romans, and what Pastor David Jang describes as "the concrete realization of the ministry of reconciliation entrusted to us by the Lord," urging believers never to stop learning and applying it.
Ultimately, when we hold fast to the truths of Romans 5:6-11, we experience firsthand that "God redeemed us by sacrificing His own Son," a reality that is not mere doctrine or head knowledge but a life-transforming power. That experience broadens within the church community through worship, service, and love for our brothers and sisters, and it extends further into the world as the fragrance of Jesus Christ's gospel. This is the message of reconciliation in Paul's writings, and it is the power of the gospel that Pastor David Jang repeatedly stresses in his exposition of Romans. "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom 5:8)-God's love thus confirmed continues to permeate the realities where enmity prevails, calling people toward reconciliation and peace. As more people answer this call, the church will shine truly as a community of salvation, which is the ultimate reason we study Romans 5.
