November 17, 2015

At Just the Right Time

Romans 5:6-11

At just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

—  Romans 5:6

Having hope and a faith that doesn’t weaken is not as easy as some might think. I know this is true in my own faith journey.

But what is important to me is that God knows this too. And in our reading for today God gives some reassurance about some doubts we might have.

It’s as if God is saying, “Okay, so you still think you need to do something to belong to me. You think that somehow you need to qualify for this gift of grace in order for me to give it. As if somehow I might have missed seeing some sin in your life, some part of you that is dirty or ugly, that would make me say, ‘Well, my gift of grace is not for you. You’re just too sinful!’”

God anticipates that you or I might wrestle with that. So God says, in effect, “Guess what? Your hope and faith can’t be in having your life and religion all in order. Your hope and faith have to be in me. When it comes to what it takes to become my child, you are powerless. And you don’t deserve it. So you don’t need to go there. But understand this: In Jesus, I’ve taken care of it. You see, at just the right time, I sent Jesus Christ to die for you!”

Can you think of any better news than that?

Lord Jesus, I wish I wasn’t powerless. I wish I was perfect in godliness. But this is my reality. Thank you that at just the right time, you died for me. You are an awesome Savior! Amen.

About the author — Henry Kranenburg

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