Does God love us when we sin?
Dec 11, 2009
The Case for Grace - part twelve in a study of the book of Romans
Mike Gaudet
Does God love us when we sin?
We were powerless.
We were ungodly.
We were sinners.
We were loved.
Which statement is out of place?
“God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:5-8
God’s love reached out to us when we were “powerless.”
God’s love reached out to us when we were “ungodly.”
God’s love reached out to us when we were “sinners.”
With God’s love, no statement is out of place.
“God demonstrates His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Jesus died on the cross to demonstrate the unique character of God’s love. Divine love differs from human love. We avoid those who do not love us. We attack those who do not love us. God approaches those who do not love Him.
When we suffer, we wrongly assume that God has withdrawn His love from us. We chalk up our suffering to our powerlessness, ungodliness or sinfulness.
When we sin, we assume that God will withdraw His love from us. We imagine that God is either mildly displeased or else downright angry with us. We attempt to act in a godly manner so that God will channel His love toward us once again.
If God extended His love toward us when we were sinning . . .
. . . God will not withdraw His love from us when we sin.
When we believe that God’s love is influenced by our behavior, we misunderstand the character of His love. God does not love us less when we sin more. He does not love us more when we sin less. Our behavior cannot influence God’s love.
God reached out in love to the powerless and ungodly. If the force of our will is not powerful enough to generate a godly life, God’s love reaches out to us.
God reached out in love to the sinners. If our conduct does not conform to the standard God laid down for us, God’s love reaches out to us.
“God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.”
In spite of difficulty or disobedience, God wants you to believe that He loves you.
That is why He sent His Son onto our planet.
That is why he sends His Spirit into your heart.