Love Demonstrated

For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Romans 5:6-8 

God is not One Who merely speaks of love. Rather He has demonstrated His love to us in the most extravagant manner. Our text describes this demonstration. Paul begins by showing that Christ’s death was for us while we were still spiritually without strength and ungodly. He did not die for us after we had made ourselves acceptable to Him by our works. Paul follows with the contrast that we could at least somewhat appreciate how someone would sacrifice themselves for a righteous person. He goes on to posit that if there was a genuinely good person someone might be willing to die for that one. Over against those two instances he sets the sacrifice of Christ which He offered for us ‘while we were still sinners.’ This is the most extravagant demonstration of the love of God we could receive. This was a very expensive way for Him to demonstrate His love to us. Thus, we should dwell upon this sacrifice of Christ as the highest evidence that God does indeed love us. He does more than merely speak of it in flowery phrases, rather He does the extreme thing of sacrificing what is nearest and dearest to Him to show us how much He really does love us. This is a God worth knowing and a Christ worth having.  

Our Good and Gracious God, 
we rejoice that Your love is more than just mere words. 
We praise You that You have demonstrated it 
by giving us Your Son. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning