Irvin Wasswa: Tylertown Campus Pastor
Romans 5:6-11
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 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. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Are any of you like me in that you are a big baby when it comes to blood? Whether it is watching a movie that has some gory scenes in it to cutting yourself and seeing blood, I am not a fan. Honestly when I see someone bleeding my first thought is to close my eyes and run away instead of helping to attend to the person injured, no matter if it’s a deep gash or a small cut. I just can’t handle it!
In Romans 5, Paul talks about one man’s blood that oughta make us shout for joy! He speaks to us about the message of the Gospel: How God showed His love for mankind, that at our worst He sent Jesus to die on a Cross for us and spoke of the implications of Christ’s death for those who choose to place their faith in Him. He shares two realities of what the shed blood of Jesus provides for humanity:
1) A way to be made right with God (v.9) That is what the word “justified” means there; to be made right with God. The Bible says that because of our sin and the reality that we do not measure up to God’s standard, the punishment we deserve is eternal separation from God in a place called Hell. God sent Jesus to come take the punishment you and I deserved by dying on the cross so that all who repent of their sins and surrender their life to Him are made right with God again. This reality is why simply being a good person is not enough to be made right with God. Our sins are forgiven and atoned for only by the blood of Jesus Christ (Leviticus 17:11, Hebrews 9:22).
2) A way back into a relationship with God (v.11) Not only are we made right with God when we repent, the blood of Jesus makes a way for us to be reconciled (brought back) into a loving relationship with God. We were created to be in relationship with our Creator (Ecclesiastes 3:11) but our sin separated us from Him (Isaiah 59:2). The good news is that a relationship with God is now made possible through the blood of Jesus Christ for those who repent and believe.
Listen friend, it is only by the shed blood of Jesus Christ that man can be forgiven of their sins and brought back into a right relationship with God. Aren’t you thankful for His shed blood? By His sacrifice, we have new life. By His blood we have victory (Revelation 12:11a). By His blood our sins are washed away! HALLELUJAH!
What should our response be this morning? Worship! No matter if you have been a Christian three days, three months or 30 years, the reality of God’s displaying His love for us at our worst, in Him sending His Son to die for our sins oughta lead us to worship! I encourage you this morning to spend some time pondering and reflecting on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for you and may that reality spur you on to tell others about how there is a God who loved them enough to send His Son to die for them as well!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord, I thank you for sending Your Son to die on a cross for my sins. In this time of reflection I pray that your love for me will grow my love for you and for others. I pray You would give me a burden and a passion to share the message of Your love with those I am around! In Jesus’ name Amen!
A song of praise for Jesus’ shed blood: Oh The Blood by Kari Jobe
MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK:
Psalm 119:11
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.