God’s Unbelievable Love
“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” Romans 5:6-11
This passage discusses God’s unbelievable love. It shows the great depth of justification. The passage also gives one of the clearest definitions of agape love. It actually shows the meaning of agape love as a godly love, a sacrificial love, a love that gives itself for the powerless, for the ungodly, for sinners, and for enemies.
We were ungodly and imperfect, yet Christ died for us. God’s great love is seen in this unbelievable act. We were weak, worthless, useless, helpless, hopeless, destitute, and without strength. We were spiritually worthless and useless and unable to help ourselves. And at “just the right time” Christ died for us. Christ died for us. The word “for” means for our benefit, for our sake, in our behalf, in our stead, as our substitute. Christ died as our sacrifice, our ransom, and our atonement.
Christ died for those for whom no man would die, for those who were of no value and of no good. He died for those who were diametrically opposed to God, the very opposite from all that He is. Such is the unbelievable love of God; such is the depth of justification.
We were enemies, yet God has reconciled and saved us. God gives us joy through the reconciliation of Christ. A person who receives so much from God is bound to be filled with joy and rejoicing.
Study Questions:
- What does agape love look like to you?
- How does it make you feel knowing that Christ died for the sinful and helpless?
- Do you live your life knowing that your sin was paid for because of the unbelievable act of love by Christ dying on the cross?
- What are ways you can show agape love to the people you love deeply?
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