Romans 5:6 – “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ
died for the ungodly.”
Today’s One Year Bible reading is full of great potential commentary. The Old Testament passages in 1 Chronicles chapters 28 and 29 contains tremendous nuggets of truth from the lips of David regarding passing it on, wholehearted devotion to God, giving, and the promise of God’s presence. Psalm 15 is a great checklist on the qualities needed to dwell in God’s presence. The Proverbs remind us that disciplining children is still important and that we shouldn’t bail out hot-tempered people because we will have to do it again. It’s the temper that has to go.
But I must confess that I was completely amazed again at the simplicity of the gospel message repackaged by the Apostle Paul in the Romans 5 reading today. It all begins with the above verse. In my search for “deeper truths” this all too familiar one stares at me in the face: I was ungodly and Christ died for me. Selah. Amazing love how can it be? That you my King would die for me? God demonstrated His love for me. It really deserves a similar response. I need to demonstrate my love for Him. Paul drives home the point even further: I’m justified (declared not guilty) by His blood. Not guilty? Wait a minute! I think you’ve got the wrong guy. I’m as guilty as can be. But Paul argues, “It’s a gift.” A gift of grace and a gift of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ. And it’s all because God loves you and me.
And so, in the search for “deeper truth” I’m smacked in the face with the simplistic reality and the raw fact that God loves us. Nothing more to be
added. I just want to rest in that today and soak in the pleasure of “amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me…”