6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Romans 5:6-9
Have you ever given thought to the love that God has for each individual lost soul. Many sin over and over and over again. Many curse God's name and laugh out loud as His word is shared or preached. Time after time after time they turn again and again. Imagine all of the brokenhearted parents who have pleaded and patiently gone to a son or daughter in meekness and love with a great concern for their child’s salvation. If we would step back and gaze at such situations we would see that the Lord is in the middle of each plea and prayer and that His word and will for each individual lost person is, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (I Timothy 2:4). God’s love is a love like no other. While there is physical life in each individual there is the possibility for a spiritual rebirth through the Lord Jesus Christ. I want us to be reminded of three aspects of God’s love.
I. Sacrificial Love- “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son” (John 3:16a). God gave His Son the Lord Jesus Christ and a heavy price was paid. Salvation is made possible by the indescribable sacrifice of Christ Jesus. Let’s consider the sufferings within the sacrifice.
A. Emotional Suffering- “Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me” (Matthew 26:38). The scene was Gethsemane; it was the prelude to the cross. It was a time of prayer before a season of suffering. These words capture the emotional suffering of Christ.
B. Physical Suffering- “Then Pilate therefore took Jesus and scourged him” (John 19:1). This would have been a brutal and bloody site to see let alone endure. “Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away” (John 19:16). The only begotten Son of God was beaten, bruised and bloodied and nailed to a cross. The wrath of God came down on the Son of God. One learns the measure of God's holiness by the violence of the cross. From such violence came victory.
2. Saving Love- “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17). Our sins have separated us from God and on the cross Christ made it possible for the relationship to be reconciled. I still look back in wonder and amazement at the mercy and grace of God. It was while I was dead in my trespasses and sins that God saved me. My sin filled soul had a stench to it yet the Holy and Righteous God of the universe came when I cried out, not after I cleaned myself up.
3. Shared Love- “Whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16b). I am so thankful for the “whosoever” of the Bible; it is the definition of shared love.
This love like no other is available to everyone who will come by faith to our Lord Jesus Christ. If you have come, have you given thanks for such love? Take time today to consider where it was you once were and where it is you are at this very moment in Christ Jesus.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Romans 5:6-9
Have you ever given thought to the love that God has for each individual lost soul. Many sin over and over and over again. Many curse God's name and laugh out loud as His word is shared or preached. Time after time after time they turn again and again. Imagine all of the brokenhearted parents who have pleaded and patiently gone to a son or daughter in meekness and love with a great concern for their child’s salvation. If we would step back and gaze at such situations we would see that the Lord is in the middle of each plea and prayer and that His word and will for each individual lost person is, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (I Timothy 2:4). God’s love is a love like no other. While there is physical life in each individual there is the possibility for a spiritual rebirth through the Lord Jesus Christ. I want us to be reminded of three aspects of God’s love.
I. Sacrificial Love- “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son” (John 3:16a). God gave His Son the Lord Jesus Christ and a heavy price was paid. Salvation is made possible by the indescribable sacrifice of Christ Jesus. Let’s consider the sufferings within the sacrifice.
A. Emotional Suffering- “Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me” (Matthew 26:38). The scene was Gethsemane; it was the prelude to the cross. It was a time of prayer before a season of suffering. These words capture the emotional suffering of Christ.
B. Physical Suffering- “Then Pilate therefore took Jesus and scourged him” (John 19:1). This would have been a brutal and bloody site to see let alone endure. “Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away” (John 19:16). The only begotten Son of God was beaten, bruised and bloodied and nailed to a cross. The wrath of God came down on the Son of God. One learns the measure of God's holiness by the violence of the cross. From such violence came victory.
2. Saving Love- “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17). Our sins have separated us from God and on the cross Christ made it possible for the relationship to be reconciled. I still look back in wonder and amazement at the mercy and grace of God. It was while I was dead in my trespasses and sins that God saved me. My sin filled soul had a stench to it yet the Holy and Righteous God of the universe came when I cried out, not after I cleaned myself up.
3. Shared Love- “Whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16b). I am so thankful for the “whosoever” of the Bible; it is the definition of shared love.
This love like no other is available to everyone who will come by faith to our Lord Jesus Christ. If you have come, have you given thanks for such love? Take time today to consider where it was you once were and where it is you are at this very moment in Christ Jesus.
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