There are certain verses in the Bible, that to me are truly life changing.  These verses are so important that they shape everything.  They give a sense of clarity and understanding to our walk with God and our walk with each other.  Today’s reading, to me, is one such passage.  Listen to what we are told today in Romans 5: 8-10:

8 But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. 9 Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.

These passages shatter the myth that God’s love is something that we earn.  These verses show us that everything in our walk with God begins with His grace and mercy.  These verses show us that in our salvation, God is the first actor.  God is the one that moves first.  God is the one that begins everything in our salvation.

Yes, we must accept it and respond.  But God begins it.

And notice when God begins our salvation.  Not when we are perfect or have everything figured out.  But when are at our very worst.  Look at the words this passage uses:

God proves His love for us, while we were still sinners. . .

For while we were enemies. . .

This passage shows us that while we were at our very worst.  Our most unlovable.  That worst moment out there.  That moment we are ashamed of.

THAT moment.

It was then that Jesus Christ died for you.

God doesn’t love you because you are good and have to earn it.  God loves you because He is good.  And He has gone to the ends of the world to prove it.

You don’t have to earn God’s love.  You don’t have to earn God’s love.  You don’t have to earn God’s love.

You need to understand that today.  You don’t have to earn God’s love.

You just have to accept it.  These passages show us that God loved us before we were lovable.  He loves us at worst.  Jesus died for us at our worst.

You are loved.  Today.  Accept that. Live into that.  Know that.  You don’t have to earn God’s love.

You simply are loved.  I love this passage because it shows us just how much God loves us.

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