Romans 5:10-11 (ESV)
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Paul makes a powerful argument: If God reconciled me to Himself while I was His enemy, how much more will He save me now that I’m His child—through the resurrected life of Jesus! And not only am I saved, but I also rejoice in God Himself, because through Jesus, I’ve received reconciliation, a restored relationship with the Creator God.
I am reminded of Jesus’ teaching on “the vine and branches” in John 15:5.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
Jesus uses the analogy of a vine and branches to describe the essential relationship between Himself and His followers. He is the source of life, nourishment, and growth—the vine. We as believers are the branches, entirely dependent on Him to bear fruit.
To “abide” in Christ means to remain in close, continual fellowship with Him—through trust, obedience, prayer, and the Word. Fruitfulness is not the result of human effort alone, but of staying connected to Jesus.
The phrase “apart from me you can do nothing” is a sobering reminder that our spiritual awareness and effectiveness are impossible without Him. It’s not that people can’t do anything—but they can’t do anything of eternal value, true spiritual significance, or permanent change of heart, without abiding in King Jesus.
APPLICATION
Now that I’ve been reconciled to God through Jesus’ death, I can be absolutely confident that I’m secure in His life. Jesus didn’t just die for me—He lives FOR me. His resurrection means my salvation is alive and active, not just a past event.
I will live with confidence. If God loved me at my worst, I don’t need to fear losing His love now. I only fear disappointing Him. I will rejoice in God Himself…Not just in His gifts, but in who He is—my Father, my Savior, my source of life. I will walk in reconciliation. I’m no longer an enemy of God. I’m His beloved child. That changes how I see myself and how I relate to others. I will trust in Jesus’ life. His resurrection power is at work in me today, giving me strength, peace, and purpose.