In Romans chapter 5, we find ourselves reading a profound explanation of the Gospel written by the Apostle Paul. As we unpack verses 6 through 11, consider September 1928 — a date that predates what would become one of the most challenging periods in global history. The following year, 1929, witnessed the catastrophic crash of the stock market, ushering in the Great Depression, a decade of profound economic hardship. But just before this tumultuous period, a seemingly insignificant event occurred, one that would later prove to be a pivotal moment in medical history.
In London, Sir Alexander Fleming, a Scottish biologist, made a discovery that would revolutionize medicine. Working with bacteria in his laboratory, Fleming embarked on a vacation, leaving behind Petri dishes teeming with bacteria. Upon his return, he noticed something extraordinary — a contaminated dish where a mold had killed the bacteria. This accidental discovery of penicillin, right before the Great Depression, marked a turning point in the fight against bacterial infections, which until then were often fatal.
The timing of this discovery is crucial to our understanding. It was not just a fortunate accident but a moment of divine providence, a reflection of God’s sovereignty in human history. This story serves as a metaphor for a much greater, timely intervention — the coming of Christ. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, emphasizes the significance of Christ’s birth and death, happening at just the right time in God’s sovereign plan. This was not merely a chronological coincidence but a divine orchestration, fulfilling prophecies and meeting humanity’s deepest need for salvation.
The discovery of penicillin brought about life-saving solutions to physical ailments. Similarly, Christ’s sacrifice brought forth spiritual solutions to the infections caused by sin — solutions like forgiveness and reconciliation. These were not accidental remedies but were part of a deliberate, divine strategy to restore humanity to a right relationship with God. As we explore this passage of scripture, we must look at the profound implications of Christ’s death and resurrection. Just as penicillin transformed medicine, Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection offer transformative power in our spiritual lives.
1. At Just the Right Time, Christ Died for the Ungodly
The statement “At just the right time, Christ died for the ungodly,” is a testament to the impeccable timing of God’s sovereign plan. It is not a matter of coincidence, but divine orchestration, that Christ came to die for us when He did. In his letter, the Apostle Paul emphasizes that Christ’s arrival and sacrifice were not happenstance but occurred at a God-ordained moment in human history. This precise timing holds a personal significance for each one of us. Every sermon, every reading of the Bible, is a personal interaction with God’s plan for us, an opportunity to discern His message and apply it to our lives. This concept of the ‘appointed time’ is both a challenge and an encouragement. If you find that attending church or listening to sermons has not brought about change in your life, it may be time to reflect on how you are engaging with God’s word. Are you merely a passive listener, or are you actively seeking to understand and apply God’s teachings?
Paul draws our attention back to humanity’s constant state of helplessness and weakness in the face of sin. Imagine being dropped in the middle of the ocean with no aid — no life raft, no food, no companions. In this scenario, all the self-effort in the world is futile against the overwhelming forces surrounding you. This is the spiritual state of humanity without Christ: utterly helpless and hopelessly adrift in a sea of sin. Verse 6 explains how, at the right time, Christ offered us a lifeboat, a beacon of hope amidst our helplessness, when He died for the ungodly. This sacrifice is a direct confrontation to our inherent weakness, a divine rescue from our spiritual plight. Paul urges us to remember our depravity, as detailed in the earlier chapters of Romans, to fully appreciate the magnitude of Christ’s rescue.
One of the most powerful expressions of this truth is found in verse 8, where Paul speaks of God demonstrating His love for us through the death of Christ, even while we were still sinners. This love is not conditional on our morality or righteousness but is a free and unmerited gift. It challenges us to confront our own self-loathing and shame, reminding us that Christ paid the price for even our darkest sins. Where do we find the right to hold onto the shame and guilt for which Christ already paid? The Gospel, the good news of Christ’s sacrifice, is not just an antidote to our past sins. It also serves as a powerful motivator in our ongoing battle against sin. It is a tool for both pre-empting sin and recovering from it. The knowledge that Christ loves us despite our worst aspects should inspire us to honor Him by resisting temptation.
This understanding has profound implications for how we interact with others. How can we accept Christ’s forgiveness and yet withhold it from others, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ? As we ponder the depth of Christ’s love for us, let it not only wash over us but also extend through us to others. May the song we sing, “Oh How He Loves Me,” be not just an expression of personal gratitude but a reflection of the love we extend to those around us.
We are invited to not only rejoice in the salvation we have received but also to reflect on our response to this divine intervention. Are we living in a way that honors the sacrifice made for us? Are we extending the grace we have received to others, regardless of their actions or beliefs?
2. May We Boast in the Life of Reconciliation We Have Been Given
In verses 9-11, we are called to not only understand but also to rejoice in the life of reconciliation that has been granted to us through Christ. Paul employs a classic argumentative technique, moving from the lesser to the greater, to elucidate the benefits of Christ’s resurrection. Kent Hughes captures this concept by saying, “Seeing what Christ did in dying to save us, how much more will he save us by his life.” This thought invites us to reflect on the power of the resurrection. It is not just Christ’s death that we cling to for salvation; His resurrection plays a pivotal role in understanding and living out the reconciliation He purchased for us.
The resurrection means more than just the defeat of death; it signifies the restoration of a right relationship with God. Because Jesus rose from the dead, we, through faith, are not only forgiven but also brought back into a relationship with God. This allows Christ, through His Spirit, to live within and guide us, transforming us from the inside out. Paul assures us that this reconciliation is a reason for boasting, not in ourselves, but in what Christ has accomplished in us and for us. This reconciliation touches every aspect of our lives. To grasp the fullness of what we have gained through Christ’s reconciling work, we need to understand the depths of what was lost because of sin. In Genesis, we recall the fractures that sin introduced into our world. The first fracture was between humanity and God, symbolized by Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden.
But the repercussions of sin did not stop there. Sin also fractured our self-perception, our relationships with others, and the harmony of creation. From shame and guilt to conflict and estrangement, the impact of sin is pervasive and profound. Yet, in Christ, these fractures are healed. The reconciliation we receive through Christ first restores our relationship with God. We move from being enemies of God to His children, from prisoners of sin to people of peace – a peace that signifies that everything is as it should be. This reconciliation also begins to heal our self-image. As we see ourselves through the lens of Christ, we begin to understand our true worth and value. Reconciliation transforms our relationships with others. Just as the relationship between Adam and Eve and their descendants was fractured by sin, our relationships often suffer the same fate. But in Christ, we find the grace and love needed to heal these wounds, to forgive as we have been forgiven, and to live in harmony with one another.
Paul’s message is a call to rejoice and boast in our reconciliation. This rejoicing is not meant to be a private, internal affair. It should overflow into our interactions with others, through our conversations, our worship, and our everyday lives. This kind of rejoicing is contagious; it not only uplifts us but also draws others to Christ. As we consider how to apply this message, we must ask ourselves: How does this reconciliation manifest in our lives? Are we sharing the joy and peace we have found in Christ with others? Are we letting go of the shame and guilt that Christ has already paid for? Are we living in a way that reflects the transformative power of Christ’s resurrection in our lives?
Our call to rejoice in the gospel may lead us down different paths. For some, it might mean sharing the good news in a foreign land. For others, it might involve bridging gaps with a neighbor or family member. And for all of us, it means living with integrity and honesty, allowing the truth of the gospel to permeate every aspect of our lives. As we reflect on the life of reconciliation we have been given, let us embrace the full implications of Christ’s death and resurrection. Let us live lives that are marked by joy, peace, and reconciliation, sharing the good news of what Christ has done for us with everyone we encounter.
