“…but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
(Romans 5:8)
This verse in Romans demonstrates the greatness of the love, mercy and grace that is in God, as it is the fountain of salvation to all His elect, and this is seen in the chief outward fruit and benefit of it towards us in Christ by His death.
Earlier in this letter to the believers at the church in Rome, Paul systematically demonstrated the hopelessly despicable, wicked and estranged-from-God condition we are all in (Rom. 3:10-18). But the darker our sin, the brighter the light of His love that shines on it. The deeper our wretchedness, the more glorious the grace of God that pulls us out of this deep, sinful pit. He forgives us, raises us up to a new life in Christ, and then sets us a place at King Jesus’ table. And God willed this entire redemptive plan from start to finish while we were still His enemies.
“But God,” the Scripture says, in contrast to sin and misery… “but God, who is rich in mercy!” This wonderful turn, this beam of hope breaks through the dungeon of despair we sinners occupy without Christ. This treasury of mercy, and all the covenant promises of the Lord’s Christ who is full of grace and rich in saving power is specially given to sinner who believer in His Gospel and His Son. This great mercy in God having laid open such a treasure, God, who is very rich in mercy, and has loved us, says, He brings in special mercy joined with and rooted in special love in Christ; it is a love which He has born in Christ for His people. He loved us that were in this way sinful and wretched, and loved us while we were sinful and wretched, yes, even from everlasting! He is the One who ordained us to show this love and mercy in Jesus Christ. We were sinners, “But God…” We were wretched, “But God…” We were lost and going into the deepest hell for our sin … “But God.”
“…but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
(Romans 5:8)
- Oh Lord, I am such a sinful wretch that I can hardly comprehend what it means to adore You as I ought. Yet You love me with an everlasting love. When I was falling into the pit, “But God…” When I was on my way to hell, “But God…” When I was going the way of Cain and Korah and Dathan and Judas, “But God…”
- These two simple words, “But God…” bring such joy to my heart for they are packed with meaning once we understand the great Gospel of God. They are like beams of divine glory that warm my soul. By Your great grace am I saved. To this grace is added God’s love and mercy = a love that surpasses understanding (Eph. 3:19) and rich mercy (Eph. 2:4) that never ends (Lam. 3:22-23).
- Lord, when I was dead, You saved me through Christ. You restored me. You put life into me. You gave me Your Holy Spirit to dwell within me forever. Who would have known that two words would bring so much happiness? “But God…” The fullness of Christ’s glory will one day be revealed to me, that my joy may be full and complete in Him. You are so faithful to me… even when I am faithless.
Further References for Romans 5:8
John 3:16; 1 John 4:9; John 15:13; Rom. 5:6; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 4:10
