Unconditonal Love

Part of the true beauty of the love of God that is reflected in the sacrifice of Jesus is the fact that God loved us when we were difficult to love.  Romans 5:6-11 teaches us that God loved us when we were weak (v 6).  We were helpless.  We were powerless.  Morally, we were at a point when we could not do anything for ourselves.  It was at that time that it was the right time for Christ to die.  The death of Christ happened at a time when mankind could see his wretchedness.  Christ died behalf of the ungodly.  He stood in our stead and took our place.  Christ didn’t wait until we got our stuff together to die for us.  It was in our ungodliness that the time was right.  It was when we needed the most help that God helped us. 

​God loved us when we were sinners (v. 7-8).  It is extremely difficult to get someone to die for a righteous person.  And every now and then, someone will be willing to die for the good person.  A righteous person is one who does what the law or justice requires.  The good man goes beyond what is required and does as much as he can.  When Christ died for us humanity was neither righteous nor good.  We were sinners.  Yet still, God shows us His love for us.  God continuously establishes His love in that the death of Christ remains as the most striking manifestation of love.  Its effectiveness continues to this day. 

God loved us when we were enemies (9-11).  It’s one thing to love the helpless.  It’s one thing to love sinners.  It is another level of love to love your enemies.  Jesus didn’t just make a sacrifice for those who were not thinking about Him.  He made a sacrifice for those who, when they thought about Him, had thoughts of hatred towards Him.  He loved those who wanted Him dead.  He loved those who shouted, “Crucify Him!”  God loved us even when we didn’t like Him. 

God loved us when we were weak.  He loved us when we were ungodly.  He loved us when we were sinners.  He loved us when we were His enemies.  How much more does He love us now that we are His people!  Thank God for His unconditional love!