Romans Part 3 - LIFESample

Wow

When I read the context of our verses today in Romans 5:6-11, my first reaction was, “Wow!” God did all this for us…rebellious, ungrateful, wanting-to-run-our-own-lives humans. The word “sinners" is an accurate assessment of who we are…or were, if we are in Christ. The extravagant love of God is so apparent and permeates this passage.

These verses in Romans 5:6-11 define what the Apostle Paul says in other places.

Titus 3:5 “... he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his mercy…”

Ephesians 2:8 says: ”For by grace you have been saved through faith…“

Mercy: not getting what a person deserves, which is punishment, judgment, or wrath.

Grace: getting what a person doesn’t deserve, which is forgiveness, acceptance, and reconciliation.

The focal point of this grace and mercy is in our passage for today, Romans 5:7-8. Look for the extravagant mercy and grace of our Lord in these 2 verses. You can’t miss it!

Paul drives home his point by saying essentially someone MIGHT die for a good person (i.e. NOT you or me). Yet the extravagant love of God is that Christ died for sinners (i.e. you and me), who are utterly unworthy of such a gift of love!

Allow your own, “Wow!” (or whatever joyous expression of gratitude) to jump to your lips. As you read these two verses, why not dwell a minute and ponder this mercy and grace here? Let it soak in…change you…so that you can live out of His mercy and grace today.

After meditating on these Gospel truths, why not thank the Savior for His beyond-reasonable love for you?!

-Doug Drainville