ROMANS 5:6-10 – For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 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.”
THEME OF THE DAY: THESE ARE THE ONES CHRIST DIED FOR. In today’s scripture, the Apostle Paul expounds the details of what Christ’s death means. It provided justification for the believing sinner; a declared right standing with the Lord because of His sacrificial death paying our sin debt or satisfying God’s wrath, the payment for our sin debt. Christ’s death also reconciled us to God in a relationship of peace not hostility and enables us to enjoy Him as was the original intent of our creation. But the Apostle does something more. He would give four descriptions of the people Christ died for, and by the way, we are those people.
As we identify them, may the Lord show us this is who we were outside of Christ. We need to know the gravity of our depravity to maintain our fervency of appreciation and marvel over the Gospel that delivered us from these estranged identities before our God.
First, the Apostle Paul defines us as incapable of being justified before and reconciled with God on our own – For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. The word “weak” means helpless, without strength, without life and points to being dead in trespasses and sins, unable to come to God (Ephesians 2:1-2). This is who Christ died for which defines us.
Next, Christ died for the ungodly – For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. To be ungodly isn’t just being without God. It means to lack respect, to hold as repugnant, to practice a life disregarding His rule and Person. This is who Christ died for which defines us. And Paul’s descriptions continue . . .
Third, Christ died for sinners – while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. The term “sinners” is familiar with all of us and likely the one we most readily identify with in our relationship with God outside of Christ. To be a sinner is to miss the mark of God’s standard, and particularly falling short of reflecting His Image as created image-bearers. This is who Christ died for which defines us.
And finally, the most drastic one – while we were enemies we reconciled to God by the death of His son. Enemies are combatants in constant war with a foe. There are hostilities between parties and no ceasefires. Outside of Christ, God considers us His enemies. Not just incapable people, ungodly people, or even sinners, but His foes! This is who Christ died for which defines us.
Now, how amazing is the Gospel? We who were incapable, ungodly, sinners and enemies of God, He has justified and reconciled through the death of His Son, the Lord Jesus! Let’s be in awe of such a God and such a Gospel!
PRAYER: “Father, show me the depths of my depravity AND the depths of Your Love.”
QUOTE: “The Gospel is great news for us only if we know the bad news about us.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim