By Ken Blue
Romans 5:8. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
For me, this is one of the greatest verses in the Bible on the subject of salvation. The context shows how unlikely it is for one to lay down his life for a righteous man. But, Paul shows that Jesus willing laid down His life for us while we were at enmity with Him.
You will notice that it was God’s love that moved Him toward us. In fact, God commended His love toward us while we were yet sinners. God’s love is not passive. No one could show greater love to the sinner than God has. In order to find a person who would die for a righteous man, was practically impossible, but God demonstrated His love, kindness, grace and compassion toward us while we were sinners and defiant. Greater love hath no man than He who laid down His life for us.
The second miracle here is that God commended His love while we were yet sinners. God does not wait for men to become better, or deserve His favor. If He did, He would wait forever. All are sinner, and none deserves His love. This is one of the greatest mysteries in the Bible!
If I robbed a bank, my mother would still love me. If I disgraced our family, my mother would still love me. If I murdered someone, my mother would still love me. She is MY mother. But, that a holy God love me in spite of ALL my sins is more than I can take in. Oh, the wonderful love of God!
His love is demonstrated in the most arresting manner; Christ died for us. That Christ would die for me is love beyond comprehension. We love Him because He first loved us. That is all the motivation any believer should need. I believe, if pastors would paint a picture each week before Christians of God’s love, it would be much easier to enroll them in the service of the King. Do you know Him? If you do, meditate to day on the above verse, and you will love Him more.
Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.