Romans 5:6 "for while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly."
There is something scandalous in these words. A man without guilt was placed under the penalty of men with much guilt, and he received their death sentence. It is as if justice was turned on its head, and not a single objection was made. No protests were heard, no pleas for mercy, only the emphatic cries of an angry mob, demanding the death of a man who had never wronged anyone.
The man of perpetual controversy, Jesus, was accused of "making himself equal with God" (John 5:18). And so the mobs, incited by religious rabble rousers, demanded a punishment fit for murderers and mutineers; death on a Roman cross. To many onlookers, his death was a bloody spectacle with no divine purpose or meaning. However the crucified Jesus did not leave us without explanation to the question of his death, but told his friends that he "did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). And so he died..."for the ungodly."
It is not with readiness that men identify themselves with this title. No one is eager to sit in the seat of criminals and convicts and share in their shame. "Ungodly" has such an unflattering ring, it belongs to the worst of the worst and the lowest of low lives, yet these are the very ones Christ died for.
It wasn't until I realized that I was one of them that the death of Jesus became wonderful news to me. I have heard the Biblical indictment of humanity, that we "all like sheep have gone astray" (Isaiah 53:6). I have seen this confirmed daily in my own heart; a cowardly rebellion against the God of love, and I tremble knowing that He is also a God of justice who "will by no means leave the guilty unpunished" (Exodus 34:7). But He is so GOOD! My resistance is shattered when I hear the invitation He makes: "'Come now, and let us reason together' says the Lord, 'though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow'" (Isaiah 1:18).
What can I do but come to Jesus and be forgiven!? Though I am ungodly and indisputably guilty, though I am helpless and incapable of making all my wrongs right, it is for someone like ME that Jesus died, so I count myself among the richest men alive.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Not Disappointed
Romans 5:5 "and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
Being let down is the result of misplaced hope. Everyone has experienced this; we set expectations in hope that someone or something will fulfill those expectations. When they aren't met, we grieve at our unfulfilled investment and generally blame the thing we hoped in for letting us down. So where is well placed hope?
We can turn our hope inward and grope for gratification in our accomplishments, we can turn our hope outward and search for satisfaction in people and possessions, or we can turn our hope upward and find fulfillment in the unchanging, never-failing God of love who gladly gives grace without restraint to everyone who would have it! Just as it is written..."whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed." (Romans 9:33)
Being let down is the result of misplaced hope. Everyone has experienced this; we set expectations in hope that someone or something will fulfill those expectations. When they aren't met, we grieve at our unfulfilled investment and generally blame the thing we hoped in for letting us down. So where is well placed hope?
We can turn our hope inward and grope for gratification in our accomplishments, we can turn our hope outward and search for satisfaction in people and possessions, or we can turn our hope upward and find fulfillment in the unchanging, never-failing God of love who gladly gives grace without restraint to everyone who would have it! Just as it is written..."whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed." (Romans 9:33)
Monday, September 14, 2009
Happy Tribulations
Romans 5:3-4 "we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;"
The sovereignty of God is so full, so complete, that even the most difficult times are designed to produce hope. This is the mystery of His mercy; to bring discomfort and to build strength, to wound and to heal, to try and to teach. The result proves worthwhile; hope in God increases as we are utterly lost in complex and unsolvable situations. Hard times tend to strip away self-worth. In those times, when there is nothing left to admire in yourself, nothing noble or strong, wise or eloquent, charming or tasteful, but only the exposed short-comings of a rebellious heart, that is when God's grace is realized.
This is the most liberating realization! In me is nothing but in God is everything and in Him I have everything. I can happily empty myself of any sense of entitlement and receive God's grace the way it is given, as a gift.
The sovereignty of God is so full, so complete, that even the most difficult times are designed to produce hope. This is the mystery of His mercy; to bring discomfort and to build strength, to wound and to heal, to try and to teach. The result proves worthwhile; hope in God increases as we are utterly lost in complex and unsolvable situations. Hard times tend to strip away self-worth. In those times, when there is nothing left to admire in yourself, nothing noble or strong, wise or eloquent, charming or tasteful, but only the exposed short-comings of a rebellious heart, that is when God's grace is realized.
This is the most liberating realization! In me is nothing but in God is everything and in Him I have everything. I can happily empty myself of any sense of entitlement and receive God's grace the way it is given, as a gift.
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