For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person — though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die — but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:6-9 ESV
The working of His love into my heart… is causing fierce spiritual battles in my soul…
All our sin… is dark and deep…
But the darker… deeper… you see your sin… the more glorious His grace…
And today… my past sins… seemed… darker than dark… deeper than deep…
The memories which rose… nearly made me physically ill…
How foolish… how blind… how utterly lost I was…
No one from the world’s perspective would’ve said so… but today… in the light of His truth… my sin… compared to His standard… His measure of holiness… was too much to bear…
More self-deception came into play… the flesh balked… It wasn’t so bad as that… or what so-and-so did…
It was all pulled out from under me for a few moments today… and the temptation to sink deep… dive into a hole… was great…
Taking my thoughts captive… as He calls His people to in times like these… I exercised faith… chose to believe… the darker the sin… the more great and glorious His gracious love…
Believing instead of feeling… He reminded the purpose of His love…
All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
2Corinthians 5:18-19 ESV
His purpose… reconciliation…
Not condemnation…
But reconciliation… in love…
His love of sinners… is all about reconciling everyone to Himself…
And as we become reconciled to Him… we in turn love the sinners in our lives… past and present… Believers and unbelievers… as He does…
In the truth of His love… glorious grace… and reconciliation… I find glimpses of further healing…
Healing which sets a sinner free…
Free from blame…
Free from guilt…
Free from shame…
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Galatians 5:13 ESV
While they are still sinners… love them… serve them… lay down your life for them… just as He did for you…
Dark… deep… glorious…
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