Yesterday we wrote about God going to inordinate lengths to save us while we were weak (Rom. 5:6), ungodly sinners (Rom. 5:8) and His enemy (Rom. 5:10) and how much MORE we will be saved from the wrath of God because we are now His friends.
Here’s another way to say that. Jesus didn’t reconcile us to God when we were strong, or had made progress in overcoming our sinfulness or once we had initiated a truce with Him.
We were running from Him and living in rebellion to His righteous and holy countenance, shunning His beauty and busily glorifying ourselves in our own little kingdoms. It was while we were godless and self-seeking that Jesus left the security and glory of heaven and placed Himself amidst our squalid mess to call us home.
Paul was pulling no punches when he wrote:
“Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But—
When God our Saviour revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Saviour” (Tit. 3:3-6 NLT).
We didn’t care about Jesus and what He was doing for us! We were sinners. Even as Jesus was being led to the cross, our disbelief and rebellion was there, just like the words in this song, “Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers.” [1]
So why did Jesus rescue us sinners? He died to show us that God’s love has no limits to bringing us into relationship with Him. As I've said before, Paul made the point that God’s love was boundless to a sinner and then Paul took that point a step further to show how much more will He save us from the wrath to come if we have been justified by Jesus (Rom 5:9).
I’m purposely repeating myself because I think this is an incredibly difficult concept for the human mind to grasp. We live in a culture of performance and reward, yet the God of heaven has encased us in His family with limitless love. Our heartfelt conversion is a GUARANTEE of our future.
Yes, you will continue to sin but you will repent and consecrate yourself afresh. Your sinfulness won’t disappoint Him. What disappoints Him is your refusal to believe that His heart is so strongly directed towards you.
See, you can’t un-child yourself from the tender heart of God. In the next life you won’t sin but you won’t be any more secure than you are now. Just “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31). It’s that simple and uncomplicated.
[1] https://www.stuarttownend.co.uk/song/how-deep-the-fathers-love-for-us/