Loved

Loved!

Romans 5:8 AMP

[8] But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

There was a time when it was lawful for God to apply the due punishment for our sin. He had laid down the law on appropriate conduct and given us rules and regulations, but of course, we flouted these with impunity. It was an endless cycle of irresponsibility and rebellion against God, and which, in line with the principles of God's Word, deserved eternal damnation from God. One thing is clear also from the dispensation of the law: it provided clear guidelines on conduct, but it could not provide the help needed to align with the guidelines. It is not a wonder that the same chapter from where the verse above is taken from says: "While we were still helpless [powerless to provide for our salvation], at the right time Christ died [as a substitute] for the ungodly." That is the definition of love that should grab our attention.

It is convenient to love those who are lovable, or who have placed themselves in the position where affection comes easy. However, God's definition of love has to give us pause for thought: in what way were we lovable, or deserving of affection? Reflect on God's view of man at the time of Noah, when God looked on the earth and saw how debased and degenerate it was, for all humanity had corrupted their way on the earth and lost their true direction. It was on this basis that the flood happened, and all mankind was destroyed, except Noah and his family. In that same story is the account of God's hatred of sin, and how his love can preserve. The same God who destroyed the earth at the time, also preserved a man who found favour with God. In the face of justified punishment, there was still a silver lining: man could find help to live above sin and escape punishment. 

It is this help that is the focus of the verse above. This love did not wait for me to be well deserving of help, but it was given to me all the same. At a time when I did not even know that I needed help, it was given to me long before I was born. Reflect on this: an amazing inheritance was made available for me, even before I was born, with no guarantee that I would accept it. That is what makes this love even more amazing: it was given without conditions. However, it must be noted that if I reject this love to the end of my natural life, I will have no one to blame but myself. Jesus has done His part to offer me a pathway back to God, and it is in my best interest to take hold of this and apply it to my life. Love like this is eternal, but I only have this earthly life to take hold of it. Love like this is freely given, even though it cost God the life of His one and only Son. Do not let that sacrifice be in vain, otherwise, there would only be eternal regret. God's time of favour is here.