1. Define God's "righteousness."
Self-explanatory.
2. What is the theological distinction between "positional sanctification" and "progressive possession"?
Christ has forgiven our sins. It is no longer being held against us. That is the position we are in. What is "progressive" is our maturing via spiritual growth. As we grow, spiritually, we are better able to "overcome" our sinful tendencies, though they are still there.
3. Are we saved by grace or faith (cf. Eph_2:8-9)?
Both. We are saved by faith in Christ's work, which is a work of grace. He gives us God's righteousness, forgetting the sins that we have done and ignoring the sin nature that we still have. .
4. Why do Christians suffer?
2 reasons. 1) When we yield to our sinful inclinations, God punishes us, whether to correct us or to destroy the evil we do. 2) We live in a world of sinful people, and suffer, innocently, the consequences of this. In the same way, Christ was perfectly innocent and came into this sinful world, suffering from that.
5. Are we saved or being saved or will be saved?
We are saved when we embrace Christ's work of grace on behalf of the world, when we accept his gift of righteousness in place of our own selfish ways. The complete salvation of our bodies, souls, and spirits takes place at the resurrection of the righteous.
6. Are we sinners because we sin, or do we sin because we are sinners?
Both.
7. How are the terms "justified," "saved" and "reconciled" related in this chapter?
Eph 2? I should think words used in the same chapter are related! However, every time a word is used, its context must be considered. I don't have the word "justified" in my NIV. Perhaps you can point out the verses?
Eph 2.8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
"Salvation" here has to do with restoring us from the curse of sin and death, making us presently eligible for the full redemption to come. Presently, we live a life that evidences the basis of our Salvation, which is the gift of Christ's righteousness to us.
"Reconciliation," therefore, has to do with a restored relationship with God, as before the Fall. We are brought back to our original calling to live in the image and likeness of God, to enjoy eternal fellowship with Him.
8. Why does God hold me responsible for another man's sin who lived thousands of years ago (Rom_5:12-21)?
God created there to be consequences to human choices. God's original plan, though corrupted, cannot be destroyed. The game has to continue.
9. Why did everyone die between Adam and Moses if sin was not counted during this period (Rom_5:13-14)?
Sin was indeed counted. In context, Paul was arguing that Sin was not being counted on the record of Moses' Law, which distributed punishments upon Israel for failing to obey it. Paul's argument was that even though the punishment of sin was not being distributed under terms of the Law, it was still visited upon all of mankind, who were sinners by nature. All die. All suffer.
10. Are the terms "all" and "many" synonymous (Rom_5:18-19, Isa_53:6; Isa_53:11-12)?
Words mean what they mean *in context.*
As a Christian you should try asking the Lord about these things yourself. You may be surprised at how willing He is to give you some answers over time.
Some things cannot easily be understand except by experience. So I don't mind you asking. I didn't have many people to ask in my life, and have had to wait many years for some answers. Still, I don't know it all, obviously.
