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Read Romans 5:1–11
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1Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
6 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. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Many words could be used to describe our state before Christ: unclean, impure, steeped in sin, or dirty. In that state, there is no way to make ourselves clean or to bring about this cleansing. We are sinners from birth. But Christ died for sinners, washing us clean by his blood and in the waters of baptism.
Most of us have experienced demonstrations of undeserved love. The embrace of a spouse after a fight. The child running into your arms unconditionally. The friend you have hurt who is still there for you. Whether you are righteous or not, they still show their love for you. Even more, Jesus loves unconditionally. He did not die for righteous people, but for sinners. No matter what we have done or where we have been “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This is the love of God. It is amazing love, amazing grace given to us freely. You are loved, loved dearly by your Father in heaven.
Prayer
Lord God, by your love, I am set free. Lead me to others who need to hear of your love for them. Amen.