While Still Sinners

Good Morning,

Romans 5:6-8 (NIV)
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 man, though for a good man 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.

You've heard it before, I'm sure. You know, "When I get my life in order I'll come with you to your church," or, "Well, I need to get rid of this drinking (or whatever other 'vice' one might have) before I can feel right about visiting a church." Yes, we've all heard the "reasons" that people won't come to visit us at our places of worship. Today's verses are ones that we should have on the tips of our tongues when anyone uses the "I need to get better" excuse for not coming to a local church.

"While we were STILL sinners, Christ died for us."

God didn't say, "OK, when ya'll get your act together down there, well, then I'll go ahead and send a Savior to the world so you can join Me in heaven." Nope. He didn't go that route, did he? Because, if He did, then we'd still be waiting for a Savior to come to us. We'd still be waiting because we human beings here on this planet will NEVER be rid of the sin that we have in our lives...except by the grace of God and through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

"Christ died for the ungodly."

Jesus said, "But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." (MAT 9:13) Jesus came because we needed a Savior. God knew that we would never, not in our own power, be able to live up to the Law and, therefore, gain entrance to heaven. Human beings are built of flesh and that flesh is weak; that flesh is of a sinful nature. We need Jesus. Simple as that, isn't it?

So, when we get that "I'm not good enough" reason from people to turn down the opportunity to meet with God at one of our worship services, then remember these verses. Remember especially, "While we were still sinners, Christ dies for us." Remember to point that out to our unsaved friends and family who think that they've got to get their lives in order...as if they ever could...before they can join us to worship God.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David