“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 KJV
“Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me?”
These were the words of the famous hymn writer, Charles Wesley, titled “And Can It Be, That I Should Gain”, in the hymn he wrote upon his getting saved.
As someone who had been striving to please God all his life via good works but never could, this was the moment the truth of what Jesus did on the cross finally hit him for the first time.
This truth is so life changing because according to our anchor scripture, God was not waiting for us to feel bad for our sins or to plead for mercy, rather while we were still sinners and saw no need for Him, He sent Jesus to die for us.
One lie that has kept many bound is the notion that God is waiting for us to be on our best behaviour before we can be saved. This wrong teaching has prevented many from enjoying the fullness of the redemption which we have in Christ.
The Bible let us know that Jesus was made sin for us that we might become righteous before God (2 Cor 5:21). He did it by dying for us on the cross.
The Apostle Peter echoed this as well saying “Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God” (1Peter 3:18).
This is the message that brings salvation. Christ took our place, He died our death that we might henceforth live free from condemnation. Any attempt to add to this is to despise the gravity of the sacrifice of Jesus.
Paul writing to the Ephesian Church says “for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)
There is no room for boasting here. Good works can’t save a man, rather they are the expected qualities of a saved man. We were saved not by good works, but for good works.
God was the doer, all we had to do was believe. The great preacher Charles Spurgeon once said “our only contribution to our salvation was the sin that made it necessary.”
This is God’s love in action, it’s a love that gives. God loved the world and gave His son for the world. Greater love has no one than this. (John 15:13). This is how we ought to perceive the love of God, through the lense of the gospel.
This morning as you go about your business, meditate on this truth. Like Charles Wesley, burst out in praises and give God thanks.
Bible Reading Plan:
Luke 11:29-36, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-7, Psalms 144, 2 Chronicles 17-19