God’s Love For Sinners
The Amazing Truth About God’s Love
In the old church hymnal, we find powerful words of inspiration that for many decades filled the hearts of worshipers as they joyfully sang of God’s glorious love. One of the old standards Such Love by C. Bishop conveys God’s unfailing love for sinners.
Such love, such wondrous love, Such love, such wondrous love, That God should love a sinner such as I, How wonderful is love like this. (Hymns of Glorious Praise, page 202)
The profound theological message of these words, “That God should love a sinner such as I,” ask the question, “How wonderful is love like this?”
The Bible says in Romans 5:8, “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8)
In verse 7 the apostle contrasts the very rare possibility of someone stepping up to die for a completely “righteous person,” that is a person whose religious life and devoutness toward God and his fellow man was so superior to most men that he should be called a “righteous person.” Then the apostle suggests that someone might possibly be more willing to die for a really “good person,” that is someone who is the epitome of goodness, kindness, and decency. These examples seem plausible to our human intellect that one might be willing to die to save someone we admire, respect, and love because of their exceptionally good decent and righteous lives. However, it is not logical or conceivable that someone would step forward to die for an evil, corrupt, or unrighteous person truly worthy of death. Most people would agree that the evil person should be punished for their crimes. However, for a holy, righteous, flawless Jesus to suffer and die for a rebellious, sinful and completely ungodly person who is, in reality, God’s enemy displays a love that we are totally incapable of comprehending with our natural minds.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Christ came into our world as a man for the express purpose of suffering crucifixion and dying for all sinners. An innocent, sinless, holy God took upon himself the punishment we deserved for our sin. He suffered and died because he loves us—sinners. His love for sinners can be likened to a father’s love for his rebellious child, but infinitely far better. Into the darkness of our world, Christ came to rescue us from the consequences of a life of wrong choices and corruption. God desires that all humanity would see His love through Christ and truly turn to Him. Christ is our only hope of entering into a right relationship with God our Father. In no other way can we be forgiven and receive eternal life (Acts 4:12, 1 Tim. 2:5).
The invitation to turn to the Father through Christ is written in the blood of our Lord and Savior. The invitation was not sent to the righteous or good people (there are none), but the enemies of God who mock, ridicule, hate and live lives of sin. All have sinned and all have come up short of righteous living (Rom. 3:23). Nevertheless, God’s redeeming love reaches into our sinful hearts and calls us to turn to Him. He bids us:
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Mat. 11:28-30)
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. (Rev. 22:17)
How could anyone ignore His unparalleled love? How can anyone hear the story of salvation, look at the cross, and then walk away from this amazing love that Christ openly displayed?
Such love, such wondrous love, Such love, such wondrous love, That God should love a sinner such as I, How wonderful is love like this?
Our souls, sick with sin, are fully corrupted by sin’s evil desires and desperately need healing and deliverance. How will we resolve that problem without turning to Christ?
So, my friend, if you do not belong to Christ I would encourage you today to call upon the mighty name of Jesus, for there is power, miraculous wonder-working power in the name of Jesus! Forgiveness, healing, deliverance, restoration, and life everlasting are available to all who call on His name.
How to Turn to God
Perhaps at this very moment, you have realized that you need the Lord in your life. Maybe you drifted away or need to be been born again? If so, you can stop right now and begin talking to God. Ask Him to forgive you for being a sinner and the life you have been living outside of His love. Surrender your life to Him, unconditionally. Call Him Lord and make Him Lord of every thought, attitude, and action. You can say, Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins and come into my heart and take full control of my life. I am your child from this day forward. Change my heart and mind to be Christ-like in every way. I confess Jesus is my Lord and Savior forever.
