“But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
(CSB – Read the chapter)

I occasionally get things wrong. Okay, let’s be more honest than that. Occasionally I blow it. Okay, fine, scratch that “occasionally.” I screw up a lot. Sometimes this happens in ways that are small and insignificant. Others are big and bold. Some of these are public where anyone can see them. A whole lot more are things known only to my heart and mind and borne by my soul alone. No matter what form or fashion these happen to take, though, one thing is consistent throughout: God’s love never changes or wavers. Today, I am grateful for this unbelievable truth.

I love singing hymns. Because of that, I love that we are enter a season culturally in which God has raised up new hymn writers who are applying their craft with excellence. One of the greatest of this age is the husband and wife duo of Keith and Kristyn Getty. This pair has written some hymns that I would gladly put up against anything written in ages past in terms of their musicality and theological richness.

One of my current favorites by them is called My Worth Is Not in What I Own. The song is a celebration of God’s love and grace expressed for us most supremely through Jesus. The last verse captures an idea that has echoed loudly in my heart since the first time I heard it. Their marveling at this truth is exactly right. It radiates the wonder of the truth Paul expressed here in Romans 5:8.

The verse goes like this: “Two wonders here that I confess: my worth and my unworthiness. My value fixed, my ransom paid at the cross.” And again what Paul so boldly declared: “But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

The feeling that we are simply too sinful for God is a common one. When we are faced with the weight and reality of our sin, guilt and shame are a natural result. One of the hardest but most important steps on the way to an embrace of the Gospel is to grasp the depth of our sin. Until we do this, we won’t ever fully receive the help that only God can give; we won’t accept the grace of Christ.

Yet when we start journeying down this path, there is a risk we face. This risk is that we become completely overwhelmed by the immensity of our sin in the light of a holy and righteous God. How could a God that good ever consider a relationship with a wretch like me? Such a thing must be an utter impossibility. If we are not careful, when we reach this place, if we do not immediately grab for the life preserve God has provided us in Christ, we will be lost in a sea of our guilt. The enemy who drew us into our sin in the first place will wash over us an ocean of condemnation and do everything he can to make sure we drown.

In the face of this despairing reality, this glorious truth rises like the sun and drives away all of this like the morning mist. It was not when once we cleaned up our acts and finally got ourselves together that God made a way to get to Him. He does not require us to first achieve righteousness on our own before extending His to us in Christ. He loves us so much that He sent Jesus first. He opened the doors to life everlasting when we weren’t the slightest bit interested in it. We were still living in open rebellion against His kingdom when He made the invitation through Christ to join Him in it. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Today as you sleep off your turkey high from yesterday, or as you step it off walking through the stores as you Black Friday shop, let this idea sit at the front of your mind and heart. Bask in the glow of God’s amazing love and be thankful.

And, just for fun, here’s the song for you to enjoy from one of my favorite bands that happens to also be a husband and wife duo. Have a great weekend.