Romans 5:1-11
Thursday, 2 September 2021
“But God demonstrated His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” -Romans 5:8
In a world where the word “love” has lost its meaning, today’s Scripture is a fresh breath of air that brings life into every soul. Love has become like a commodity that people think they can “buy/sell” on their terms and conditions. In contrast, we see an unconditional, committed, everlasting love that was displayed when God sent His One and Only Son into the world. Paul says, “people could sacrifice their lives for someone good,” (V.7) but Jesus demonstrated His love toward all of us when we were His enemies (Vs.8,10) unworthy and wretched sinners.
What benefits has Christ’s death brought us if we are to put our faith in Him?
Right Standing with God (Justification): Very often we try it in our own strength to be found right in God’s eyes, and we fail miserably! According to Isaiah 64:6, all our righteous acts are like filthy rags before God; we can never meet up with the His standard by any good work. It’s in such a situation that the love of God delivered us—Jesus’ death on Calvary made the restitution with His perfect act. Today as we put our faith in His work (not our own), we stand Justified before God, accepted in Christ Jesus!
Right Fellowship with God (Peace with God): Prophet Isaiah in chapter 9:6 calls the Messiah to be born “The Prince of Peace.” When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, one of the negative emotions they experienced was fear. Fear is a by-product of sin and the devil holds this over our lives separating us from the Prince of Peace. In taking the punishment of our sin on Himself, He brought us peace: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him…” (Isaiah 53:5). In setting us free from the punishment of sin, Jesus brought peace between God and us (Eph.2:14) and filling our lives with His Grace, Peace, Hope and Love.
Right Relationship with God (Reconciliation): One of the most loved parables that Jesus told us is the Parable of the Lost son, a story of reconciliation. Having walked away from everything good, the son could never ever have imagined that he could be reinstated as heir when he returned. Isaiah 53:6 says, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way….” but all that we experienced in our independence is brokenness and strife! Nothing we did or do, could ever bring us back home. Jesus, ‘The Only Way’ opened a new and living way for us and reconciled us to the Father, restored the broken relationship and reinstated us as children of God.
Have we experienced these benefits of Christ’s death on our behalf? A right standing, relationship and fellowship with God can be ours through Christ---provided we put our faith in His One Marvellous Act!
Quote of the Day: “It is a great act of eternal love when Christ once for all absolves the sinner and places him in the family of God.” ~ Charles Spurgeon
Listen: ‘Who is there like you’
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