While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Romans 5:6-8
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
“I Felt like the rug had been pulled from under me," Jojie said. "The shock of the discovery was like a physical blow." She'd found out that her fiancé was seeing someone else. Jojie's previous relationship had ended similarly. So when she later heard about God's love at a Bible study, she couldn't help wondering: Is this another scam? Will I get hurt if I believe God when He says He loves me?
Like Jojie, we may have experienced troubled relationships that left us feeling wary - or even afraid - of trusting someone's promise of love. We may even feel this way about God's love, wondering where the catch is. There is, however, no catch. "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
"Eventually, I realised God had already proven His love," Jojie says, "by dying for me." My friend discovered that since our sinful state separated us from God, He reached out to us by giving Jesus to die on our behalf (Romans 5:10; 1 John 2:2). Because of this, our sins are forgiven, and we can look forward to eternity with Him (John 3:16).
Whenever we wonder whether we can truly trust God's love, let's remember what Christ did for us on the cross. We can trust His promises of love, knowing that He's faithful.
Today’s Hymns:
The Power of Your Love
I Love You Lord
Scripture to Respond:
Luke 10:27
He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Philippians 1:27
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.
Reflection:
When or why have you found it difficult to trust God's love? How can knowing Jesus died for you change your response?
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for the great love You showed me by dying for me. Let Your love change me, heal me and direct my relationships.
Wong Wai Tung (Chief Executive Officer of The Great Wall Education Foundation)
