To give your life up for someone else is a momentous thing to do, and normally there needs to be some merit in the person, the someone else, in order for that action to take place. However, God gave His Son up for us while we were still sinners. When there was no merit in us, nothing to earn God's love, He showed His love for us in the most profound way.
We really need to get hold of the idea that we contributed nothing to God loving us and sending Christ to die for us. It was an act motivated purely by God's love. There are times in our lives when we can think "how can God love me", times when we become aware of some terrible aspect of our character, some weakness in ourselves, or some sin we have committed. God has already loved us in those circumstances.
"Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through Him!". Now this seems strange, for surely if we are justified by His blood, why do we need to be saved from His wrath? Indeed in Rom 3:25 Paul speaks of Christ turning away God's wrath. So what is he on about? Perhaps the clue is in the next verse. The effects of the cross do not end with forgiveness. We shared in Christ's death, we also share in His life. His blood paid for our sins, His resurrection gives us new life. We are being transformed.
We are also reconciled with God. Once we were enemies of God, but no longer. The foundations of life have completely changed. We are justified, forgiven and reconciled. This is the foundation for a new life.
No comments:
Post a Comment