But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
This verse encapsulates the essence of God’s love and its transformative power in our lives. It reveals God’s love isn’t contingent on our actions or worthiness; rather, it’s the most pure, unconditional gift of love that should illuminate our entire spiritual journey. Jesus willingly sacrificed Himself for us while we were still in our sin. We are spared from the condemnation of God because of what Jesus did on the cross. We are covered with forgiveness and love in spite of our repeated disobedience, and that’s what lights the path in our spiritual lives. God’s love shines a light on our true identity as His cherished children, and invites us into a relationship that transcends all our shortcomings. Dwelling on this verse can illuminate the darkest corners of our hearts and remind us we are so cherished and valued by God. To put this verse further into context, 5:10 says we were “restored to friendship with God while we were still His enemies.” Enemies turned into friends! Who does that? God does.
Picture Jesus mocked, stripped, beaten, spat on, scourged, crowned with thorns, nailed to the cross, and lifted up in humiliating sacrifice just for us. As He looks down and sees sinners and enemies who can’t help themselves, He takes all of it away so we can be restored to friendship with His Father, and He ultimately saves our eternal lives. There never has or will be a greater love. The light of that love is the spiritual light that should shine and emanate brightly through us in the darkness of this selfish, evil world. Confidence can never exist in the dark: it can only exist in light, and there is no light brighter than the light of God’s love. When we let ourselves glow with this light, we become vessels of spiritual illumination in a world that often feels dark, hopeless, and tired. It’s through God’s unconditional love that we find our true identity, experience transformation, and are empowered to share that love with others. Light only goes in one direction, outward. So let’s be transformed by the illuminating light of God’s love, and refresh the world as we aim it everywhere we go. In our attitudes, words, and actions, we can with confidence be the spiritual illumination of God’s love to which others are drawn.
God is just awesome!