Chapel Messages
Monday, September 21, 2009
Dr. Bruce McAllisterThe Good News of God’s Love ~ Romans 5:6-8
Listen:
Dr. Bruce McAllister preached, continuing on this year’s theme, “Living in the Light of the Gospel.” In Romans 5:6-8 we see our condition – we are without strength, unable to help ourselves or even recognize the desperate condition of our condemnation. We are unwilling to listen to the message of God’s love and mercy for us (v. 6).
We were undeserving of Jesus’ gift. In a very courageous moment there may be people that you might be willing to die for (v. 7). Every day in battle, noble American soldiers are dying for other soldiers and for their fellow Americans. But who would die for the enemy?
Jesus could not find even one good person to die for because there are none who are good (Romans 3:10). He died for those who are not righteous; He died for us.
We have things in our lives that we think gain us an advantage with God. What does the Bible say is our condition as sinners? We are condemned, and in our un-regenerated state, we love the darkness. Our nature is inclined toward foolishness, disobedience, deceit, lust, malice and envy – a life full of hatred (Titus 3:3).
God loved us with a great love (Ephesians 2:4-5). When you think of the love of God, think of how utterly unlovely you were. In your un-regenerated state you were filled with sin, under God’s wrath and alienated from a life with God, facing physical death (Romans 5:12) and future earthly judgment. But while you were in that condition, God commended His love to you, and Christ died for you. How can an infinite, Holy God justly allow sinful people to be thoroughly right with Himself? The sinless Savior, the virgin-born Son of the eternal Father, willingly left glory, came to earth and lived a perfect, sinless life. And while in human form, Jesus lovingly went to Calvary’s Cross to be crucified, bearing the wrath of God for your sins. One day He’s coming back for you, and you will rule and reign with Him forever.
Maybe you realize that you are a sinner and have never experienced the new birth. While you were yet a sinner, Christ, in His love and mercy, died for you (Romans 5:8). Call upon His Name and He will save you.
