“6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For rarely will someone die for a just person — though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. 8 But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 How much more then, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath.”
Before Christ stepped in, we were helpless, unable to do anything to overcome our sinful nature. We were unable to change our status of condemnation and judgment before a holy God. Christ came and died at the right time. Just as we don’t know when Christ will return, the nation of Israel didn’t know when Christ the Messiah would first come. We do know, however, that God’s timing is perfect. Therefore, Christ came at the exact right moment.
The next verses prove God’s great love for us by pointing out that almost no man is willing to give their life for another, yet Christ died for us despite the fact that our every desire is contrary to His! He redeemed us out of our transgressions and sin. (v. 8) Christ has saved us from the just wrath of the Father. (v. 9) God’s ultimate expression of His love for us is in that He laid down His life for His elect. This is especially true because it was for those who oppose His very existence and refuse to give Him the glory He deserves.
“No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.” — John 15:13
“For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” — John 3:16
The end of our reading today says, “How much more then, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath.” (v. 9) We’ve talked a great deal in the past devotionals about what it means to live justified before God. We’ve discussed how this justification cannot come from within ourselves, but that it must come from the perfect life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ! To live justified, without any fear of condemnation before God, we must repent of our sin, confess Jesus is Lord, and believe in His resurrection. To trust in Christ, to have faith that He stepped in and provided the way for us to be saved, and to live a life of righteousness in response is, what Paul says, will bring us lasting hope, joy, and peace.