God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
If you have spent much time in church, you are probably familiar with the last half of the verse above. There is great encouragement to be drawn from the fact that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” But as awesome as that truth is, we must be careful not to miss the encouragement that is offered us just before that truth.
The key word in the first half of Romans 5:8 is demonstrates, because it is written in the present tense. In the koine Greek that was used to write the New Testament, the present tense indicates an ongoing, continuous action. Romans 5:8 tells us that God is continually demonstrating His love for us. It would seem to have made better sense for Paul to have written “demonstrated” in the past tense, just like the word “died” that follows. Because Christ died for us in the past, you might well think that “demonstrated” would be the best choice of words. But Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, kept demonstrates in the present tense, no doubt to provide us with ongoing, continuous encouragement. In context, Paul was addressing the suffering and persecution that the Roman Christians were going through when he declared that God “demonstrates” His unwavering love for us.
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:3-5)
Paul was reminding the Christians then — and you and me today — that God’s love is being continually poured into the lives of His people. Paul knew that the only way the Roman Christians would be able to deal with the severe suffering they were experiencing was to be reminded of the ever-present, continually-poured-out love of God. The Holy Spirit is demonstrating the love of God in Christ Jesus for His people 24/7. There is no time out and no days off. God demonstrates His love for His children moment by moment.
It is one thing to meditate on the love God demonstrated on the cross where Jesus took our place and paid the penalty for all our sins. But it is another thing altogether to keep in view the love of God that He demonstrates to us in countless ways with every beat of our hearts. Paul does not want us to miss the eternal encouragement found in experiencing every ounce of God’s past love in our lives as a profound, present reality.
Is this the confession of your life? Paul’s inspired pick-me-up will help you remember the fact that God demonstrates His love for you with every breath you take. Rejoice, Christian. Rejoice!
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT…AMEN!
Grace for the Race 