Romans 5:7-8
- 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.
These two short verses encapsulate a treasure of gospel truth. The love of God for sinful humanity is one of the most striking, and humbling truths to contemplate.
Let’s illustrate the beautiful picture in this passage. Imagine a man is about to be executed. But there’s a catch. He’s been proven innocent. You begin to think, “What a travesty of justice!” But would you be willing to step in and take the place of the innocent man so he could go free? Perhaps someone would say “yes” to that.
Now imagine this man is not only innocent, but he is also an upstanding citizen in his community. His life is about to be ended because he is considered a threat to the powers that be. Again, you think, “What a travesty of justice!” Would you be willing to take the place of this good man so he could go free? He would probably have several there to protest his wrongful execution, and perhaps someone would be willing to take his place.
In essence, that’s what Romans 5:7 teaches. Part of God’s image given to us is a strong sense of justice. We do not want the innocent to be wrongfully punished. We know instinctively when something is not fair. But where does this sense of “fairness” come from, if not from God Himself?
Survival of the fittest says that only the strong survive. It mentions nothing of their morality. Yet something deep within our being knows that it is wrong to watch the innocent be killed for crimes they did not commit. God has implanted this sense of justice within our hearts.
Let’s change up our scenario. Let’s suppose the man is guilty. He was caught “red handed” as they say. He is about to be executed for a crime he is undoubtably guilty of, and the punishment fits his crime.
Now your sense of justice is probably not sounding alarms like it was when we had an innocent man on death row. Perhaps you feel like justice is being satisfied since the guilty man is receiving a just punishment.
But then comes the most challenging question of all. Would you be willing to take the place of this man? I dare say no one would step forward to take the place of this guilty man. He’s getting what he deserves, after all, right?
Hear again Romans 5:8.
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Talk about mind-blowing! While we, that’s you, that’s me, that’s everybody, were still in our sinful rebellion against God—in other words, while we were standing before the Just Judge of the Universe as guilty for the things we have thought, said, and done in direct opposition to a holy God’s perfect law—while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
When the question came to Jesus, “Would you be willing to take the place of this guilty person?” Jesus said “Yes!” His death on the cross was not for sins He had committed, for He was truly innocent. He stepped in for us to take our death and to pay for our sins.
It is hard for us to comprehend such a selfless act of love. But that is precisely what it is. As Romans 5:8 puts it, “God commendeth his love toward us.” Can you imagine a judge who upholds you your guilt, then comes to where you are and offers to take your punishment?
Our minds have difficulty grasping such a concept at times because we expect love to be conditional. We feel like we must earn it somehow, or do something to deserve it, or that the one offering love will ask for something major as payback. God’s love comes to us freely with no strings attached. There is nothing we can do to earn it, deserve it, or ever pay it back. He knows that, and He never asks us to even attempt such a thing.
All we can do is receive this generous offer.
The words of hymn writer Charles Wesley from 1738 are a fitting reflection.
1
And can it be that I should gain
An int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
2
’Tis mystery all! The Immortal dies!
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love Divine!
’Tis mercy all! let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
3
He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.
’Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.
4
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
5
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness Divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
If you have not received the gift of God’s love, you can today. Ask us how.