Demonstration

Romans 5:8 (NIV)

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.


I know a man who is waiting.

He's waiting, to start going to church.

And he famously said that he'd one day go to church when he felt that he'd gotten his life straight.

It just didn't seem right to him to go to church when he had so many things to work out.

Guess what?

He still doesn't go to church.

He's north of 60 now.

I have to wonder when "good enough" will get here. Maybe you know this man, too. Maybe this has been you at one time or another in your life.

It's hard for us to imagine the kind of love that Paul describes in Romans 5:8. We just don't see these kinds of loving demonstrations too often on the evening news.

"While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Salvation really is about Jesus, not us. It's his work...it's what he does.

If we could save ourselves, then all of this cross business just starts to seem a little bit messy and unnecessary, doesn't it?

Of course, we can't.

If we wait until we're good enough...to restore that relationship...or make that phone call...or take that chance...or open that door...we may be waiting a long, long time.

This is the day. The time is now. God's already been loving us since before the world knew our names.

He's made a demonstration of that love.

Our task is to believe...to accept the gift...to live out lives of response and thanksgiving.

Prayer: We know that every day, you "put your love on the line for us." You risk rejection, allowing us not to return your love if we so choose. Help us to take your extended hand of grace, and to live deeply in your love.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: Romans 8:38-39