Text: Romans 5:6-11
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. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Devotion
This passage is another one of those precious gems that, when carefully examined, seem to surpass all others. For us corrupt, weak, ungodly people Christ died at the appointed time. “For us,” that is, in our place, for our benefit. It is done. It was promised and it is fulfilled. “For us” who could do nothing, but who were corrupt through and through, and evil and far from God, for us who are so ungodly, God’s Son died. He “died for us,” offered Himself on the cross, gave His life as a ransom for us. Scarcely would someone die for a righteous person, but Christ died for us who are ungodly. Perhaps someone would dare to die for their best friend or someone who does good to them, but Christ died for His enemies. God so loved us and showed His love. Could it “be demonstrated” more clearly? Could He show us any more powerfully that He loves us? Shouldn’t this assure us of our eternal salvation, and lead us directly in to God, melt our hearts, cause us to fall down worshipping at His throne? And shouldn’t it make us fully certain of our state of grace and fearless against the accusations of sin and Satan? Christ offered His blood for us, when we were dead in sins and completely ungodly. Now if we are justified by His blood, shouldn’t we then be pleasing to God, as we now are, by Him, by His life and intercession for us? And shouldn’t we flee the world? He wanted to save us, when we were ungodly. Won’t He save us now that we are His beloved? He wanted to die for us then. Won’t He want to go forth and plead our case now? See how certain our salvation is! We were enemies of God, God’s wrath was upon us, but then He gave His Son to die for us, and reconciled us to Himself. Now we are friends, and His Son lives for us. Enmity and the Son’s death for His enemies on the one hand, friendship and the Son’s life on the other. “If we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” And Christ cannot be lost to us by death. An earthly father can die and leave his children behind, but Christ cannot die any more. We were reconciled to God by His death, how much more – Paul says, much more must we be saved by His life. We could think that He didn’t want to die for us. Now, thank God, He has done it! – But it is impossible for us to think that He does not want to live for us.
Hasn’t God given us a solid rock for our faith? And this is for all, if only we believe. For Christ died for us all. Should we with Paul boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we now have received reconciliation, or should we boast of ourselves? Or should we keep doubting and complaining that God does not give us grace and light enough to believe?
Closing Prayer
O Lord God, we are ashamed of our unbelief. You know how hard it is for us to learn what it means that Christ died “for us.” This seems impossible to our reason and senses: “God’s Son died for us and lives for us.” But we thank You, we praise Your infinite love, and we will praise You for all eternity. Help us to do this. Amen.
Hymn
And though our sins against us rise
To heav’n we lift our trusting eyes,
For God is merciful, and gave,
Our souls to save,
His Son beloved to the grave.
This thought in ev’ry pain and grief
Brings comfort, sweet and full relief,
That we shall rise when Christ appears,
No more in tears,
As now, in these our pilgrim years.
O Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
Who hast redeemed us with Thy blood,
Thy precious wounds our refuge be;
For rest we flee,
O Lord, our only hope, to Thee.
Leon: My all I to my God commend L 542:8.9.12 LHy 481:6-8 tr. A. T. Russell;
tune: Jeg har min Sag til Gud hemstilt (LHy 481); alternate hymn: Jesus, Refuge of the weary ELH 240:2