Read: Romans 5:1-11
At the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (v. 6)
After eating in a restaurant with our four preschool children, I was surprised to learn that our bill was paid in full. The waitress shared that someone blessed us because they were impressed by how well our kids behaved. I was, of course, grateful, but I wondered how they would’ve reacted on other occasions when our children were less mannered.
Paul observed in verse 7 how exceedingly rare it is for one person to pay with their life for another. “Perhaps for a good person” is the best he could imagine. But for a wicked person, one who had personally wronged you? No way!
That is exactly what Jesus did for us. Two thousand years before we were born, Jesus knew we would sin. We have sinned against God in thought, word, and deed. The bill for our sin is death (Romans 6:23). Far from being good enough that someone might be willing to die for us, Jesus chose to pay our bill. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Because this is so, “we have peace with God” (v. 1), “we rejoice in hope” (v. 2), and we even “rejoice in our sufferings” (v. 3). If Jesus paid our bill despite our sin and rebellion, we can trust him to persevere with us through any challenge. And on that day when we stand before God’s throne, by our name in his book will be the words, “Paid in full.” —Jon Opgenorth
As you pray, thank God for his perfect love.
About the Author
Rev. Jon Opgenorth serves as president of Words of Hope. Previously, he served for 18 years as senior pastor at Trinity Reformed Church in Orange City, Iowa. In preparation for ministry, he received a BA in Religion from Northwestern College, and an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary.
