"While We Were Weak... Saved by His Life."

Speak, Lord, your servant is listening, transform our hearts.


Romans 5:6-11
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. ⁸But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. ⁹Much 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. ¹¹But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.


1) "...while we were still weak;" "...ungodly;" "...while we were still sinners;" "...now that we have been justified;" "...wrath of God;" "...While we were enemies;" "...we were reconciled;" "...having been reconciled;" "...boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ;" "...received reconciliation."


2) Paul's hitting home a point here: while we were still weak, ungodly, sinners, enemies of God, we were reconciled.  We didn't earn it.  But there is more: now that we are reconciled, certainly we will not be abandoned to our present suffering.  Of course, "reconciled" entails following Christ: seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly.  Can we illustrate this point from our own lives?  When have we received kindness, justice, humility and love when we didn't earn it?  Specific examples.  When did someone forgive me even though I'd not even apologized?  When did someone return my alienating behaviour with affection and compassion?  I can feel the heat in my cheeks as I think of the times I have received empathy in exchange for estranging behaviour.  Have I offered the same?  ever?  We are called to this as a patter of behaviour.  God reconciled us when we were still weak, ungodly, sinners, and enemies of God.


3) What is the invitation in all this?  Perhaps to take some time to record specific instances when I know that I have not received what I "deserved," but received love and compassion instead.


"Holy One, gentle our hearts."


Breathprayer: "While we were weak... saved by his life."