The ER staff goes to work on the drunk driver, a repeat offender who has just plowed into an innocent family. He's lying bloody on the operating table, his life hanging by the thread of their split-second response. The sheriff's deputy escorts into the courthouse a handcuffed prisoner in a bullet-proof vest, not only directing the prisoner but protecting the life of that prisoner who himself had no regard for the lives of others.
Who is the drunk driver? I am—spitting slurred words of mockery at the very doctors I need to save me.
Who is the condemned prisoner? I am—taunting with idle threats the very judge I need to set me free. I am no victim of unfortunate circumstances. I was an enemy of God having slapped him in the face with my rebellious crimes of sin.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly … But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! (Romans 5:6,8-10)
"Sinners" and "enemies" and "ungodly" are words the Bible uses for our condition when Christ died for us.
Christ didn't die for two classes of people: those who deserve a pat on the back and those who deserve a slap across the face. Christ died for one class of people. "Christ died for the ungodly." All people. The greatest act of evil in any person isn't enough to keep Christ from his greatest act of love for all people.
"While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Have you ever felt like you can't be forgiven because you've sinned too often? This is God's promise that nobody is too sinful for God's love.
"Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!" Ever feel really guilty because you haven't forgiven your parents for their divorce, because you didn't spend enough time with the kids, because you haven't read your Bible as much as you should? It feels like your guilt is just piling up higher and higher and someday soon God's really going to make you pay for it. Impossible! Jesus' blood justified you from any guilt. Your guilt doesn't exist! It's gone!
Now go find that person who doesn't deserve your kindness, who hasn't earned your love, and freely give it to them. You can, because you'll be giving what you have graciously received.
PRAYER: Who am I, Lord, to limit your love? I limit your love to me when I doubt you can forgive me. I limit your love to others when I deny that you can forgive them. But I am nothing without your unlimited love, your mercy on me that doesn't wait for some holy accomplishment on my part. Free me from my self-made prison of guilt, and help me show mercy also to others that they may also be freed and forgiven. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: Read Romans 5:6-11. Focus on vv. 6, 8 and 10. Each of them describes our real, spiritual condition that Jesus took to the cross, to his death. He killed these! What are the words the Bible uses for these conditions? Then, focus on vv. 9 and 11. These verses describe our new, real, spiritual condition since Jesus died for us. What are the words the Bible uses for these conditions? Do a Google search for synonyms for each of these words. Meditate on their meaning and say a prayer of thanks to God for his grace.
Daron Lindemann
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