God Demonstrates His Love
Scripture Reading — Romans 5:6-8
God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
The power of the cross affects each of us in very powerful and personal ways.
The most powerful motivator in the world is love—not force, not fear, not guilt, not money, but love. We will do almost anything for love. Indeed, if we know we are loved unconditionally, we will do anything for the one who loves us that way. Knowing that you are loved is the final step in the transformation of a sinner.
Remember that all who believe in Christ are ex-convicts, freed from condemnation by the power of the cross.
And recall that ex-cons don’t become model citizens until the power of the cross sets them free from the power and presence of sin.
But the transformation isn’t complete until sinners realize that they are genuinely loved by God, until they believe that the Judge who pardoned them wants to be their Father.
How can sinners ever believe they are loved so much by a Holy God? They can believe by the power of the cross.
“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
That proof of God’s love can transform a sinner into a son or daughter of God.
Have you experienced that powerful transformation in your life? Are you God’s own child?
O God, focus our eyes on the cross so that we can see how much you love us. Amen.
About the author — Stanley Mast
Beginning in 1971, Rev. Stanley Mast has served churches in Missouri, Colorado, and Michigan. After teaching at Calvin Theological Seminary for a few years, he was the minister of preaching at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, until his retirement in 2012. Stan and his wife, Sharon, enjoy time with their two sons and five grandchildren.
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