But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
We tend to reserve our love for people who love us. When we learn that someone has a problem with us, we find reasons to avoid contact with them. But God doesn’t treat us this way. Sin is an act of war against God. Sin is resisting God’s right to be God in our lives. So, when we sin, we are rebelling against God’s rule over us. It was “while we were still sinners” that God chose to demonstrate how he felt about people who continually rebelled against himself.
In the past, when someone consistently opposed me and showed themselves to be my enemy, I was tempted to treat them with opposition. However, God has showed us mercy. Instead of demonstrating his anger, God has showed us his love in Jesus. In fact, God loves us so much that he gave his Son to die for us. Because of God’s great love for sinners, God has made a way for sinners to become God’s children through Jesus.
Sometimes, people get the idea that God wants nothing to do with them until they straighten up. This verse tells us that this is not true. God loved us “while we were still sinners.” Even when we were God’s enemies, God loved us and sent his Son to die in our place. God has made a way for the worst sinner to be forgiven and become a child of God. That way of forgiveness is Jesus. How will you respond to God who has loved you at your worst? Will you continue to reject God’s love for you? Repent of your sins and put your confidence in Jesus’ death and resurrection for your salvation.
