God Demonstrated His Love When We Were Lost

In our depravity and rebellion against Him, when we were dead to anything good and had no interest in seeking Him, God demonstrated His love toward us.

In this Article:

1. Introduction
2. Our Depravity and Ungodliness
3. The Demonstration of God’s Love for Us
4. The Death of Christ for the Ungodly
5. The Demand for Your Response

Introduction

The love of God is truly amazing. It is that which is completely unconditional through Christ, and solely based of God’s grace. God demonstrated His love for us in an incredible way. We didn’t deserve it, but He did it anyway.

I cannot over-emphasize the foolishness of those who think they that can earn salvation from good works. The truth is that no one is capable of earning his or her own salvation apart from the completed work of Christ. His atoning work by which we are saved is the result of the unconditional love of God for us, and not our obedience.

This lesson is presented in three important sections. The first part addresses our condition prior to God’s response. Secondly, we see the greatness of the love of God demonstrated toward us. And finally, YOU are called to respond.

Today’s Text:

Romans 5:6-9 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.

Our Depravity and Ungodliness

It is important that we understand our condition during the time that God acted. Otherwise, we will not appreciate what He did for us. A sinner who has no idea what it means to be lost and dead in sin will not know or appreciate what it takes to be made alive.

We sometimes claim to be good, or do good. That is because we compare ourselves with ourselves. But if the standard is the Holy God, then whole story changes. How close is our good and righteousness to that of God? Not even close! 

Our state prior to redemption is clearly defined above in verses 6 and 8 of our text.

We Were Without Strength

“For when we were yet without strength…” – Romans 5:6.

This describes our natural condition. In normal English language, to be without strength means to be weak, or to be ‘strengthless.’ That idea still in way leaves you with some ability. But the picture of being “without strength” here is not just about being weak. It is that of being dead – more on this later.

This is a state of total moral and spiritual bankruptcy. We are completely incapable of being or doing any good that could have earned us the acceptance of God. What’s even worse is that in addition to our inability, there was no willingness whatsoever in us to seek God’s acceptance.

We were totally helpless and hopeless. But at the same time, we were rebellious. Take a look at these Old Testament quotes from the Book of Romans:

Romans 3:10-12 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

We Were Still in Sin

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners…” – Romans 5:8.

This is another description of our state – we were sinners. We lived in disobedience and rebellion against God. Notice that, though we were weak in one direction – holiness, we were active in another – wickedness.

We were too impotent and powerless to do any good or practice any form of holiness. But we were strong in evil and ungodliness. The Bible gives us a glimpse to this condition in Titus 3 with a list of just a few of some of the things of which we were capable:

Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

The Bible describes this state as being dead in sin and unrighteousness.

Ephesians 2:1-3 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

We were so dead that we were left with no ability to do any good whatsoever! But even if we were able to do anything, none would have been good enough to redeem us.

The Silliness of Self-Righteousness

This revelation amplifies the foolishness of those think they could be good enough for God. It is the ignorance of the holiness of God that makes anyone think he can actually do something to earn God’s righteousness.

Until you have received Christ, there is no good in you. None, the Bible says, is righteous. No not one (Psalm 53:3; Romans 3:10). This is us, by nature. There is nothing good present in that nature (Romans 7:18) until Christ is received.

So whatsoever good you think you can do apart from Christ is worth less than filthy rags to God.

Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

So, if you’re still trying your best to please God on your own, with your own goodness and obedience, stop trying! It will lead you nowhere! Do not set aside the grace of God to chase that which leads to destruction.

The Demonstration of God’s Love for Us

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

God acted while were still in our depravity and rebellion against Him. When nothing has changed with us morally or spiritually. When we did not deserve it. We were still hating God and hating one another (Titus 3:3). When we were completely dead to anything good. And when we had absolutely no interest in seeking Him.

But God…

Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Titus 3:4-6 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

While we were still His enemies, God acted. He demonstrated His love for us. It is love in action. The action is Him sending His only begotten Son to suffer the wrath of our sins.

Our old identity before Christ, that is, who and where we were, and what we were up to, helps us better comprehend His amazing love for us. Not only when it was impossible for us to earn His acceptance, but also when we were unwilling to seek or obey Him. This is true grace undeserved, unmerited.

Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

God Demonstrated His Love

At this point, God is not angry with you. Bear in mind that His action was the demonstration of His love for you, and not His anger toward you, at least for now. That love made Him take His only begotten Son through His wrath. The wrath of our sins, which we deserve to bear because we’re the offenders.

But bear in mind that the wrath is still reserved for those who died and will still die without Christ – more on this later.

He Took the First Step

The Holy God whom we offended by our rebellion took the first step of reconciling us to Himself.

2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

It takes genuine love for this to happen. And we must therefore not take God’s offer of salvation for granted. There are serious consequences for doing so. Therefore, just like the apostle did, I beseech you in name of Jesus Christ, “be ye reconciled to God.”

The Death of Christ for the Ungodly

“…Christ died for us,” “the ungodly.” Romans 5:6, 8.

God had issued a death sentence as the punishment for sin. He would not lower that standard. Someone must be punished for the sins and rebellion of man. He must be sacrificed to atone for sins.

But the sacrifice must be unblemished. That is, he must be without sin, otherwise he unworthy to be the sacrifice for sins. Well, no one among men can do this, excepted the Man Christ Jesus.

He Died in Due Time

Notice this expression “in due time” in verse 6 of our text:

Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

It was at the appointed time when Christ came. He came according to the time.

Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

The Righteous Vs. the Wicked

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

Jesus Christ is the righteous One who bore the sins of the wicked and ungodly, that’s us. He didn’t deserve to suffer and die. But He did it because He and the Father love us.

Notice here the genuine love of God compared to our selfish love.  

Romans 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

In our selfishness, we tend to be kind and sometimes willing to be inconvenienced for another who have benefited us one way or the other. You may offer to help someone who loves and cares about you (2 Samuel 18:3; 23:14-17). But what about your enemies? How kind could you be toward them?

God did what only Him could do. He sacrificed His only begotten Son to save His enemies. This is the demonstration of true and selfless love. We are the ungodly, the enemies of God, for whom Christ suffered and died.

Christ Died for YOUR Sins and Rose Again

Ephesians 1:6-7 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

Colossians 1:12-14 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

Since the blood of Jesus Christ is the only option acceptable to God for the forgiveness of sins, rejecting it is inviting the wrath of God. The wrath of God is the future punishment of the rebellious, enemies of God. This is one thing you want to avoid by all means.

The good news is that the means has been provided in Christ. And you can be saved from wrath through Him.

The Demand for Your Response

How would you respond to all the above? You now have the knowledge of the truth. You have received the message of the gospel. What would you do with it?

To the Unsaved

The word unsaved may sound a little unpleasant. You may even wonder what I mean by it. But it is simple: if you have never personally trusted in Christ and accepted His sacrifice as the payment for your sins, then you are still unsaved.

That is a problem that you must address right now! You don’t want to die in that condition because that means you will have to face the wrath of God for all eternity. You need to avoid this by all means.

But that means has been provided in Christ.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ – Acts 16:31

What does it mean to believe in Jesus Christ?

You must admit your sins. Sin is any thought, speech, or action of yours that disobeys God. We have all done one or two of these. No one is righteous. No, not one!

Repent from your sins and believe with all your heart that Christ suffered and died for your sins. And that He rose again for your justification.

Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

Salvation is at No Cost to You

Remember that in your unsaved state, you are completely incapable of doing or giving anything for salvation. You simply need to accept the offer. It is free, and not by works of righteousness. Salvation cannot be earned by anything you have done or will still do. Simply believe and live!

To the Believers in Christ

Be passionate about sharing the gospel. There are too many people in the world who are still unsaved. We cannot afford to remain silent or be care-free. Speak life with your mouth. The gospel is the word of life.

Live for Christ. He presents Himself as an example for His followers. We are to take up our cross and humbly follow Him. The cross sometimes involves suffering and being inconvenienced for course of Christ.

He suffered and died for those who did not deserve it. This is not common in the world, but Christ did it as an example for us to follow. Following Him also means following His example and doing what He does.

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

You must be willing to give your whole life to honor Christ. One of the ways we demonstrate our love for God is how we treat the people of God. Strive to be known for an example of the love of God.

Thank for reading!