Week 7 - Day 3 - The Power Of The Cross

Embracing God’s Unfailing Love

Scripture: Romans 5:8 (NKJV) – “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Devotional:

There is an evil doctrine used to disguise the intent of those who seek the control of others. It’s the concept of the measures being put in place are for the “common good.” “You will own nothing but you will be happy???”

This doctrine flies in the face of the sacrifice made at the cross for our common good in Jesus. Christ died to restore our friendship with God the Father because He hungers for our love and wants nothing more than a relationship with us.

Some are preaching that you cannot have a direct one on one relationship with Jesus while you are a sinner and you must come through His mother Mary. This is a nonsense in so many ways because Jesus came in the flesh to show us the character of God and to promote Him as approachable through His son. This doctrine undermines the essence of Jesus sacrifice on the cross and totally destroys it’s purpose. Jesus surrounded Himself with the sick and the lame, with the broken and down trodden. All were able to approach Him and so can we. The old saying of never looking a gift horse in the mouth was never truer than in this example. An incredible price was paid for us to have eternal peace in the here and the now and the future.

Romans 5:8 encapsulates the essence of God’s love in its purest form. It’s a love that transcends human comprehension—a love that is demonstrated not when we are at our best, but when we are at our worst. Despite our sinfulness and unworthiness, God chose to manifest His love through the ultimate sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

1. How does understanding God’s love as demonstrated in Romans 5:8 impact your perception of yourself?
2. Reflect on your own sinfulness and inadequacy in light of God’s unconditional love. How does knowing that God loves you despite your flaws and failures influence your sense of worth and identity?
3. Consider the example set by God in demonstrating love while we were still sinners. How can you extend love, grace, and forgiveness to those who may not deserve it or who have wronged you?
4. How does the truth of Romans 5:8 inspire you to live a life of gratitude and obedience to God?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Papa God.

Thank You for the overwhelming evidence of Your love displayed in the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help me to grasp the depth of Your love and to live in the reality of it each day. Empower me to extend grace and forgiveness to others, just as You have graciously forgiven me. May Your love transform my heart and guide my actions, that I may reflect Your love to a world in need. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Graham Hood