We have been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.
Let’s see a show of hands: How many of you were really excited when you read that first sentence?
Interesting…
Can we read these verses and say, “yep, that’s nice”? Can we be so used to hearing that we have been reconciled to God that we take it for granted?
Some time ago I was teaching a group of Christians and was discussing a similar verse, and I said something like, “doesn’t the understanding of this glorious truth change the way you view everything?”
I was chastised for suggesting such a thing because life is sooo very hard.
I was almost speechless, and I erroneously thought at first that they must have misunderstood the question or that I hadn’t spoken clearly enough, but as it turned out, they understood the question perfectly, they just didn’t think it was that big of a deal. It was a whole different sort of “wow moment” for me. At that time, I was beginning a class on Hebrews, and we were in chapter 1; it was early in the game, and I had my work cut out for me, so I let it go. Several sessions later I taught a class that began with Hebrews 5:11…
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.
If our text from Romans doesn’t get your attention, then I confess I don’t know what to say.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:6-8
You should have jumped up and cheered when you read that, for it is indeed a life-changer in every sense. This reality should affect the way we view everything in our lives. You see dear reader, we reveal where we are spiritually by the way we respond to things. There are millions of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are considered to be very thoughtful and mature in the faith, who are often in positions of leadership, who expose their own lack of maturity in the faith by the things they say and do. It is not our place to judge them or to criticize them of course, but we should be aware lest they lead us astray. You see, an immature follower of Christ sees their circumstances- a mature follower of Christ sees Jesus.
So, as I was saying, how does our text strike you; are you cheering?
I guess we all still have some work to do.
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It is exciting to know we are reconciled to God! It brings great joy and peace
Amen!
When you ask people what being saved means, they say they get to go to heaven. But we are not saved to something; we are saved from something. When we are drowning, we are not saved to the shore; we are saved from the water. So, what were we saved from? In the Garden of Eden, God told A & E “The day you sin, you will die.” What is death? Technically it means “separation”. So death is separation from God. Who is the originator of death? Satan. From then on, the soul of everyone who sinned died and was in the possession of Satan. Satan refused to free us. He demanded a ransom. How many times do we read and sing about Jesus ransoming or redeeming us? His ransom demand was the blood of God. The cost was terrible to free mankind. but God humbled himself, materialized on earth, and gave Satan what he wanted. And yet, we blithely say “I’m saved” or “I’ve been reconciled to God” and go about our merry way. Sigh.
That’s it exactly- thanks Katheryn- great comment!
I love to be reminded of the greatness and faithful of God. I’ll admit that I’ve been one to think it wasn’t much of a big deal before, but never actually said it out loud. I knew intellectually that it was fantastic but the way I would either ignore it or react with bland emotions told me all I needed to know. I needed revival and it was because I had taken it for granted and became entitled since my emotions said that I deserved it. Thank you for the reminder that what God did for us was tremendous.
Thanks!
“an immature follower of Christ sees their circumstances- a mature follower of Christ sees Jesus.” I sometimes think of the Greeks who came to Philip and said, “we would see Jesus” John 12:19(KJV). Though, it seems, they were mostly just curious, to me that is what we all should be constantly doing: wanting to see Jesus better, more clearly, not out of simple curiosity but out of determination and dedication to being more like him!
Great comment Dennis, thank you!
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I get the incredulity of our apathy toward “Amazing Grace”. It’s become so mundane, when it’s mentioned, we go, “Yeah, so?” or worse, “Yeah, but what has He done for me lately?” That last one forces me to stifle the desire to slap someone. We’ll get more passionate about our “American freedom” than our “salvation from sin”. I think we kind of like sin, honestly. And we (Christians in America) are starting to sound a lot like the Israel of the Hebrew Scriptures. So, preach it brother! Wake a few of us up! Play a lot of Casting Crowns music, and let’s see if the call to authenticity falls on any listening ears. Just keep in mind, Jesus called the seven churches in Asia in Revelation, and we still think the message is for “those other churches”. As comedians say, “Wow, tough crowd.”
Thank you Matt- it’s great to hear from you… and you’re right on the money as usual!
Brother Don, I wanted add to what Sister Katheryn stated. We are saved from sin, it is true and it is as if we never sinned and each time we repent it is as if we never sinned at all. But with Salvation comes Redemption. Lately I admit, I have been stuck on that for this reason, many say we are saved from sin so we can go to Heaven; but Heaven is just a place. Now don’t get me wrong, the most glorious place that we can’t even imagine, but it is still JUST an abode. We are however Redeemed so that we might again have a relationship with our Heavenly Father which was lost DUE that sin. The real treasure isn’t just Heaven, it’s the relationship with our Father and that is the whole mission that Jesus states time and again in the Gospels when He was walking this earth. When He comes back to get us, He’s going to take us to His abode for sure, but it will be to spend eternity with our Heavenly Father who desires a people who will love Him and that He can love because they have been washed from their sin! Now that my Brother, EXCITES me to no end!!
God bless —- been behind, but hope to catch up over the next few days!