God's Love Demonstrated

“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (For rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person perhaps someone might possibly dare to die.) But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, because we have now been declared righteous by his blood, we will be saved through him from God’s wrath. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, since we have been reconciled, will we be saved by his life? Not only this, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.” Romans 5:6-11 NET

After reflecting on this passage, I am deeply moved by the poignant image of a newborn baby, completely vulnerable and utterly reliant on its mother for survival. Human infants enter the world with a remarkable combination of innocence and fragility; their tiny bodies, ill-equipped to face the harsh realities of life, depend entirely on their birth mothers for sustenance, warmth, and emotional security. Without the nurturing embrace of a mother’s love and the nourishing milk that fosters growth, a newborn cannot survive, highlighting the intricate bond between parent and child.

Paul draws a striking parallel when he writes, “while we were still helpless.” This powerful statement illuminates our dire spiritual condition before encountering Jesus—lost and completely adrift, unable to nurture ourselves or find a path to salvation. Due to Adam’s rebellion in the Garden of Eden, we enter this world spiritually lifeless, shackled by sin, and devoid of any inherent means of redemption or hope.

Yet, into this bleak reality steps Jesus Christ—our compassionate, nurturing parent. Through His selfless love and sacrifice, He offers us the extraordinary gift of new life. He doesn’t just provide a way out of our helplessness; He invites us into a flourishing relationship with Him, enveloping us in grace and guiding us toward spiritual awakening. In this transformative journey, we discover not only hope but also a profound sense of purpose as we grow in our faith, supported by His unwavering love.

I heard the question, laden with curiosity and concern: why didn’t Jesus arrive on Earth immediately after Adam’s fateful sin? If He had, could the profound human suffering woven throughout history have been avoided? Might mankind have tasted the sweetness of God’s redemption from the very moment of the fall in the lush Garden of Eden?

Yet, the human experience is deeply intertwined with suffering, a powerful force that shapes and forms our character, imparting invaluable lessons. This suffering—whether it manifests as heartbreak, anguish, or existential despair—challenges us to stretch and grow in ways we might never achieve if everything were effortlessly given to us. It is through confronting our own shortcomings and moral flaws that we come to recognize our desperate need for salvation.

Joni Mitchell captured this poignant truth in her timeless 1970 song “Big Yellow Taxi.” The lyric, “Don’t it always seem to go—that you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone,” speaks volumes about the human condition. It underscores the notion that it is often only in moments of pain and loss that we come to realize the intrinsic value of what we once took for granted. In these deeply transformative experiences of suffering, we awaken to the emptiness that exists within us, compelling us to seek fulfillment, healing, and ultimately, a more profound connection with God’s boundless grace and loving redemption.

Why did it take so many centuries for a Savior to emerge from the unfolding narrative of human history? Was there a divinely orchestrated timetable in God’s grand design that dictated both the need for redemption and the arrival of a Messiah for Israel? The apostle Paul addresses this profound inquiry, yet he deliberately refrains from providing intricate details about the timing of Jesus’ birth, believing that such specifics are not essential to the overarching message. Instead, he powerfully asserts that, at the perfect moment in God’s timeline, Christ sacrificed Himself for us. This foundational act is not just a pivotal historical event; it is the cornerstone of our faith, as Jesus now lives eternally, serving as our living Savior even amidst the complexities and uncertainties of the modern world. This remarkable truth provides us with a steadfast anchor from which we can confidently advance in our spiritual journeys.

Paul articulates a radical and transformative truth: even while we were still mired in our sins, Christ selflessly offered His life for us. This astonishing reality means that we do not need to prove our worthiness or labor tirelessly to earn God’s extraordinary gift of salvation; we are invited simply to believe. In God’s eyes, the sacrifice of Jesus remains eternally vibrant and potent, with His precious blood ready to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, no matter how deep our transgressions may run. Moreover, no span of time or distance could ever sever our unbreakable connection to the boundless love of God through Jesus Christ; His blood is timeless, continually pouring forth grace and offering us the hope of forgiveness and redemption. With this profound understanding, we can fully embrace the transformative power of His grace, knowing that we are always welcomed into the warmth of His love, forever changed and renewed by it.

Salvation encompasses far more than simply being rescued from sin; it is a profound deliverance from God’s righteous wrath. To truly comprehend this, we must delve into the nature of God’s wrath, particularly as it exists alongside His infinite and unconditional love for humanity. Crucially, God’s wrath is not aimed at people; it is directed at sin itself—at the destructive force that sin represents and the profound separation it creates between us and our Creator. This vital distinction is often overlooked by many. While God loves us with a fierce, unconditional affection, He harbors a deep aversion to sin because it disrupts the harmony of His intended relationship with us.

Throughout our lives, we actively construct various facets of our identities and aspirations, which are shaped by our underlying motives and desires. The Apostle Paul vividly illustrates this concept in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, where he likens our spiritual works to different building materials. He writes: “If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, each builder’s work will be made manifest, for the Day will reveal it. It will be tested by fire, and the flame will expose the true nature of each person’s work. If what someone has built survives the test, they will receive a reward; but if their work is burned up, they will suffer loss; yet they themselves will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”

This powerful imagery invites us to reflect deeply on what we are constructing in our lives. It encourages us to prioritize building with materials that withstand the fires of testing—those that are vital, robust, enduring, and worthy of God’s glory. As we navigate the complexities of life, choosing to focus on the lasting impact of our actions, our interactions, and the integrity of our motives, it becomes essential to live lives connected to the Holy Spirit. Such mindfulness empowers us to align our lives with God’s purpose, fostering a rich, fulfilling relationship with Him and others that ultimately leads to eternal rewards beyond our comprehension. This sacred pursuit calls us to live with intention, passion, and a profound commitment to reflecting God’s love and truth in all we do.

In the profound journey of faith, we come to a transformative realization: we are reconciled to God through the poignant sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. This revelation fills our hearts with a joy that is both deep and abiding, for in Him, we are declared righteous—not out of pity because of our own flawed nature, but through the boundless grace He bestows upon us. In this extraordinary exchange, God no longer sees the weight of our sins; instead, He beholds the beauty of Jesus living within us, His light illuminating our spirits and guiding our paths.

We find ourselves compelled to express our deepest gratitude and exaltation to God for the magnificent gift of redemption. Jesus, in His unwavering love, bore our sins upon the cross, freeing us from the chains of guilt and shame that have so easily entangled our lives. As we journey through the trials and tribulations of life, we carry the invaluable treasure of a deepening relationship with Christ. This resilient treasure grows stronger in the flames of adversity or trial.

This divine investment in our lives does not waver under pressure; it instead transforms us, preparing us for the eternal life that awaits. Ultimately, it is the formation of Jesus’ life in our minds and through our actions that is the only treasure that can accompany us into the eternal life that awaits us, offering us hope and assurance in an ever-changing world.

Stephen Barnett