Daily devotional · March 6
Loved While Still Far Away
“For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him! For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! Not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”
Paul makes a simple observation about human love: it is rare for anyone to give their life for a righteous person, and only occasionally for someone truly good. Yet God demonstrated his love in a different direction. Christ died for us while we were still sinners, weak and unable to help ourselves. The love of God did not wait for us to become worthy. This is what makes the Christian message so freeing. We cannot earn a love that was given before we could do anything. Paul concludes that if we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son when we were enemies, we can be sure of his care now. Today, remember that you are loved not because of your record but because of his character. Let that shape how you treat someone who has not earned your kindness, and offer it anyway.
Prayer
Father, thank You for loving me before I could deserve it. Teach me to love the same way. Amen.