February 11
Verse of the Day for February 11
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.Romans 5:8 KJV
The Key of Love · Day 11 of 29
Reflection · 3 min read
While We Were Yet
Paul is building an argument about assurance, and he does it by fixing the timing of the cross rather than its meaning.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
The word yet is doing everything. Not after we repented. Not once we had shown promise. While — during, in the middle of, at the time when nothing had improved.
Which settles a question most people carry quietly: whether God's affection is a response to progress.
Paul frames it as a demonstration — God commendeth his love toward us. It is exhibited, put on display, at the least deserving moment available, so that the moment can never be used as evidence against you.
If He loved you then, the case for Him loving you now does not rest on how this week has gone.
Not after we improved.While we were yet.
Most self-condemnation is an argument that God's love is conditional on a trajectory.
The cross happened at the low point on purpose. It was dated deliberately.
Carry this today
Do you believe God's love is responding to your progress?
Pray
Read Romans 5:6–10
6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Keep praying
Reflection by Collins Asein, from the daily devotionals in the PrayerKey app. Bible text: King James Version.