Olivet University students at the Riverside main campus participated in a month-long Bible study focused on Romans chapters 5 to 8. The study series mainly focused on the academic and spiritual growth through examining the scripture.

Apostle Paul finished his great statement of the doctrine of Justification by Faith only in the fourth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans. He begins a new section in the fifth chapter. As students reviewed the new section in the Epistle, they were reminded of the words of Apostle Peter "…love covers over a multitude of sins" from 1 Peter 4:8. This is the key message repeated not only in Romans but throughout the Old and New Testaments.

The fifth chapter begins with the mighty word, 'Therefore'. Perhaps one of the great secrets of the Christian life comes from the successful utilization of the word ‘Therefore’. Through the study, students were given in-depth knowledge about how God substituted man’s sins with His Son's righteousness and how salvation came to everyone so freely.

Standing on the foundation of justification, Christians have a new identity in Jesus Christ who restored the relationship with God forever. Students gained better understanding about justification before moving onto the studies in sanctification.

"Through the Romans study, my heart is being melted by the great, unconditional, and marvelous love of God," shared a participant in the Bible Study. "He sent His one and only son, who came to redeem me. Now, I am standing on the solid foundation of salvation, and walking on the path of sanctification, the path toward to glorification."

The study ended with the teaching of doctrines explaining the everlasting love of God. Knowing the work of the Holy Spirit who intercedes, students reminded that God glorified everyone that He foreknew and no one who believes in Jesus goes unjustified.