Romans 5:1-11 says, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

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. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

Dear brothers and sisters, peace be to everyone! I am happy that we meet again. Previously, we have discussed about the Christian Gospel. Even though we do not know God, he allows us to know him. Despite not knowing God, he came to find us. This is ‘the Gospel of revelation’. The Bible clearly tells us that sinners cannot find God. The finite humans cannot find eternity and the infinite God. Therefore, the incarnated God came to seek us and forgive us so this is ‘the Gospel of forgiveness’. He has redeemed us from sins as he is sinless. Thus, this is ‘the Gospel of salvation’. Today, we will take a step further to explore ‘the Gospel of reconciliation’.

Some people sigh and say there is no hope in life while others say “God’s love is abstract and vague.” Why? This is the result of breakdown in relationship between people and God. Just like the drying up of the river bed is the consequence of being cut off from its source. People gradually drift away from God, deny him and even oppose him. It is described in the Bible, “They were enmity against God” so there is a breakdown in relationship between humans and God. Nevertheless, Jesus Christ came to bring the Gospel of reconciliation to bless mankind. What kind of blessings does it bring?

The scenarios of humans not knowing God

First of all, let us look at Romans 5:1-11 in the ESV Bible, especially verse 6. It mentioned about Jesus Christ coming to the world for our sake to accomplish his amazing work: “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.” These verses used 3 nouns to describe our predicament of not knowing God.

Firstly, it was emphasized in the first part of verse 6, “For while we were still weak…” It implies that we are weak. What does it mean? It means that we cannot resist sin and do not comprehend God’s will. Even if we understand God’s commandments, we do not have the strength to obey them and fail to save ourselves so we are weak. Some people grow weak after their stroke or paralysis. They are unable to control their limbs and move freely. When they are paralytics, they are controlled by others. They go wherever people push them. They are dependent and are at the mercy of others. Similarly, a morally weak person cannot do good works according to his free will. On the contrary, he is controlled by evil desires, have the natural ability to do evil and commit things that are not aligned with God’s will. Our hearts are willing but we are driven away by a compulsive force to do what we do not wish to do, which is the evil force. Such evil force of sin within us takes control of our lives. Why are we being controlled? It is because we are weak.

Secondly, it was stated in the second part of verse 6, “…at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” It is mentioned here that we are sinners. Let me reiterate. Sinners do not necessarily mean those who commit illegal things like murder but rather, they do not attain God’s moral standards and have strayed away from God’s will. In the original Hebrew text, it means ‘missing the mark’, failing to reach God’s standards. In other words, there is a breakdown in relationship between people and God so we are sinners. We may do well morally but it is not absolutely good; what God expects of us is the perfect kindness in which there is no evil. However, when people do good works, there is usually a tinge of evil in it. After performing good works, they are usually smug and proud, bragging about it. That’s evil. Matthew 6:3 in the ESV Bible says, “…do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” Yet, for us sinners, our left hand not only knows what our right hand does, but also people in the whole world. Sinners do not attain the standards of God so we are all sinners to a certain extent. Confucius said, “At 70, I could follow my heart’s desire without transgressing the norm.” Before 70 years old, he would sin and break rules, not attaining the standards. However, upon reaching 70, he could follow his heart’s desires without breaking the norms. We heard that today, quite a number of elderly are getting muddle-headed. They are swindled by women and even give part of their inheritance to them. That is strange but this is how sinners behave.

Thirdly, in verse 10: “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” Why must we reconcile? It is because we were his enemies in the past “while we were enemies…” In other words, we were God’s enemies and were hostile towards him. What does it mean? It does not mean that he points at God with a knife or a gun. It implies that he exalts himself rather than God in his life. He also does not know the will of God and does things according to his fleshly desires and indulge in them. This is enmity against God. The Word of God says “Do not steal”, yet he steals; “do not be greedy”, yet he is greedy; “do not commit adultery”, yet he does it…such behaviors are enmity against God. Therefore, we cannot glorify God in our evil acts. We oppose him and are enemies of God at one point in time or another in our lives. Don’t you think so? Thus, the Bible verse clearly described three scenarios of people: we are weak, we sin against God and we are enmity against him.

How does God express his love to “those who were enmity against him”?

Next, how does God express his love to “those who were enmity against him”? In verses 6-8, it mentioned, “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.” It is emphasized here that “For one will scarcely die for a righteous person - though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die.” There are two nouns – a righteous person and a good person. A righteous person refers to those who do not commit illegal acts but it does not mean that he is complete, perfect and absolutely does not have wrongdoing. From the legal perspective, it implies that he does not transgress the laws. If a person obeys the laws, follow the rules, is moral, righteous and solemn but lacks empathy and enthusiasm, he is basically a righteous person. Would you die for such a person? No way! Since he is so good, let him be it.

What about a good person? Besides being righteous, he is kind, merciful, compassionate and charitable. Such a person is kind or I may once be indebted to him. If I commit a serious wrongdoing, he not only accepts me but also helps me get out of it. I should be imprisoned but he paid a high price for me so that I am not in jail. Or maybe my family is in great difficulty, almost at the dead end. However, he renders a helping hand so that my family tides over the difficulties. I am indebted to him so I call him ‘a good person’. Naturally, I would think of repaying him and going through anything for him, even willing to die for him. Therefore, Paul mentioned that “one will scarcely die for a righteous person”. However, it is also true in our lives that one would dare even to die ‘for a good person’. My mother has paid a dear price for me. If she encounters difficulties, we are also willing to pay a price for her. Applying the same logic, we are especially willing to repay those who are kind to us. However, it is stated here that “he died for the sinners”. It is impossible but Jesus Christ has indeed laid down his life for sinners like us. It is incomprehensible. Thus, dear brothers and sisters, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

We are sinners so we readily sin against God. We are enemies of God. Strictly speaking, God does not need to have peace with us. Instead, we need to be reconciled with God. How can we be reconciled to him? We must take a step further to ponder over such an important question.

Dear brothers and sisters, we need to humble ourselves today and come before God’s presence to listen to his Word because he had taken the initiative to reconcile with us by sending his son to die for us while we were still sinners and were enmity against him. Therefore, may we be willing to open our hearts to him and say, “Please enter my life to transform me and forgive me. I want to reconcile with you as you are willing to have peace with us.” Why? It is because God has taken the initiative to reconcile with us and wants us to repent by sending his only son to us. I am in need of such a God. Amen!

Let us pray together.

Dear heavenly father, we truly thank you for your grace. While we were still sinners, you sent your only son, Jesus Christ, to the world. You were crucified on the cross for our sins and were the propitiation for our sins, redeeming us so that we have peace with God. We do not possess any abilities and are not qualified to be reconciled with God. However, we have peace with God through your son. Indeed, it is abundant grace. Through this, we praise you as you have revealed your love to us! At this moment, we are willing to open our hearts to invite you into our lives and into our family. May you transform our families so that we have peace and harmony. We pray this in the holy name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!