Our scripture this morning is Romans 5:6-11.
For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (For rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person perhaps someone might possibly dare to die.) But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, because we have now been declared righteous by his blood, we will be saved through him from God’s wrath. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, since we have been reconciled, will we be saved by his life? Not only this, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.
Paul writes to the faithful in Rome with an intelligent overview of Christ’s sacrifice for us. Those who did not have a background in Judaism needed a different approach because they lacked a previous connection to God. Paul presents a logical case for God’s love that he hopes those in Rome will understand.
We read the statement that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. Paul reasons that if Jesus was willing to die for us in our fallen state, He will certainly be there for us when we come in repentance. This reaching out to us before we have a relationship with Him is known as Prevenient Grace, God’s love and mercy to us before we respond.
When we accept the gift that is offered through Christ’s life, death and resurrection, we are reconciled to God, made new by what Jesus has done for us. We are also called to go in His name and share the blessing of His love with the world. God wants us all back, in connection with Him and each other as it was at Creation.
Gracious God, we are grateful that You pursue us with love even before we turn to You. Help us to be Your people, carrying the Good News everywhere. Amen.
