May 30, 2012
Central Truth
I have a Father who loves me enough to send His one and only Son to die on a cross for me when I deserve nothing but death.
But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we 1 5:1 Some manuscripts let us have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith 2 5:2 Some manuscripts omit by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we 3 5:2 Or let us; also verse 3 rejoice 4 5:2 Or boast; also verses 3, 11 in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men 5 5:12 The Greek word anthropoi refers here to both men and women; also twice in verse 18 because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.
15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
18 Therefore, as one trespass 6 5:18 Or the trespass of one led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness 7 5:18 Or the act of righteousness of one leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The best way to describe my life before knowing Christ is dysfunctional chaos. I claimed the gospel and yet never felt stirred by the Holy Spirit. I truly loved Jesus, but I only lived with my head, not with my heart. I knew exactly what happened on the cross, but somehow what took place there still did not resonate with me. There was no fruit in my life. God was just a guy I prayed to and loved, but who had no immediate effect on my messy world. Or so I thought! It all came back to one truth: I did not understand in the slightest sense God's love for us.
You see, my world was flipped upside down the day I realized that Christ died for me when I was at my absolute worst. The real kicker is He did not just die for a faceless person, but He died for Erin who looks to man for approval and who lashes out in anger. He died for me and every single little sin that I commit. When I came to that truth, the gospel got a lot more personal and a lot more real. Christ did not die for anyone because he or she was acting righteously; Christ died because He loved everyone enough to die even though nobody deserved anything but death. That's a lot of love.
I often ask myself if someone jumped in front of a bullet to save my life, how would I work daily to thank him or her and "repay" the person. So why not Christ? Not only did He jump in front of a bullet, He jumped in front of the largest bullet there is -- one that not only destroys our earthly life, but determines our eternal destiny, as well. I truly want to spend each day fighting to honor Him for what He has done and continues to do in me. I am thankful for this truth that set me free and for a Father who loves me enough to send His one and only Son to die on a cross for my sinful self. Praise Jesus.
1. How do you see God's love for you portrayed through what happened on the cross?
2. How did the example of the physical bullet being taken for you resonate with how you show thankfulness to Christ?
3. When did you realize that God loves you regardless of your shortcomings?
4. Is there someone you could share your story of grace with this week? Don't wait to share God's incredible love with someone!
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
Romans 2-7 (May 28-June 1)
Read Romans 5:1-11.
Verse 1: What did Jesus Christ do for you?
Verse 2: What can we confidently and joyfully look forward to?
Verse 3: What helps you rejoice when you run into hard things?
Verse 4: What is character?
Verse 5: What do you need to do to receive the Holy Spirit?
Verse 6: Are you a sinner?
Verse 7: Would you be willing to die for someone who wasn't good?
Verse 8: How does it make you feel that Christ died for you even though you are not good?
Verse 9: What does it mean to be made right in God's sight?
Verse 10: WOW . . . we get to be friends with God when we accept the gift of His Son's sacrifice! How does it feel to know that God is your friend?
Verse 11: Have you accepted Christ's sacrifice for your sins?
Activity: God being our friend is a pretty amazing thing. Talk as a family about what all that means. Discuss all the ways His friendship impacts your life. Then discuss how that can help each of you in being a better friend to others.