Love That Found Us First
08/07/2025
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
- Romans 5:8 (NIV)
There are few things in life more powerful than being loved at your worst. Most of us have experienced conditional love, the kind that hinges on performance, appearance, behavior, or shared beliefs. But God’s love stands in stark contrast to that. It is unconditional, unwavering, and, perhaps most humbling, undeserved.
Today’s verse is a thunderclap in the silence of our striving. It tells us that God didn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up. He didn’t require us to prove our worth or earn His affection. No, while we were still sinners, rebellious, broken, messy, Christ died for us.
Imagine a courtroom where the guilty party stands condemned, awaiting a just sentence. But instead of judgment, the judge steps down, removes His robe, and takes the punishment on Himself. That’s what Jesus did for us. He didn’t just say He loves us, He showed it, through the cross.
Think about the implications of this truth: before you ever prayed a prayer, read a Bible verse, or even thought about doing the right thing, Jesus had already stretched out His arms on the cross for you. His love initiated your rescue. His grace met you in the pit and lifted you out, not because you were good, but because He is.
This verse is the heart of the gospel. And it’s not just a truth for the moment of salvation, it’s a truth we need every day. When we fall short, when shame whispers that we’re unlovable, when the enemy accuses, we come back to Romans 5:8. We remember: He loved me then. He loves me still.
Action steps to help you on your journey.
Take five minutes today to reflect on the love of God shown through Christ’s sacrifice. Let gratitude rise in your heart.
Write a short note or text to someone who may feel unloved or unworthy, remind them they are deeply loved by God.
Confess any lingering guilt or shame to God today, and receive again the truth that Jesus already paid for it at the cross.
Today’s challenge:
Let God’s love shape the way you see yourself and others today. You didn’t earn it, and you can’t lose it. Live boldly in the confidence that you are fully known and fully loved.
Father, thank You for loving me before I even knew how to love You back. Thank You for sending Jesus to die for me, not after I got it all together, but while I was still a sinner. Help me walk in the freedom and confidence of Your love today. Let me be a reflection of that love to those who feel lost or forgotten. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
- Romans 5:8 (NIV)
There are few things in life more powerful than being loved at your worst. Most of us have experienced conditional love, the kind that hinges on performance, appearance, behavior, or shared beliefs. But God’s love stands in stark contrast to that. It is unconditional, unwavering, and, perhaps most humbling, undeserved.
Today’s verse is a thunderclap in the silence of our striving. It tells us that God didn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up. He didn’t require us to prove our worth or earn His affection. No, while we were still sinners, rebellious, broken, messy, Christ died for us.
Imagine a courtroom where the guilty party stands condemned, awaiting a just sentence. But instead of judgment, the judge steps down, removes His robe, and takes the punishment on Himself. That’s what Jesus did for us. He didn’t just say He loves us, He showed it, through the cross.
Think about the implications of this truth: before you ever prayed a prayer, read a Bible verse, or even thought about doing the right thing, Jesus had already stretched out His arms on the cross for you. His love initiated your rescue. His grace met you in the pit and lifted you out, not because you were good, but because He is.
This verse is the heart of the gospel. And it’s not just a truth for the moment of salvation, it’s a truth we need every day. When we fall short, when shame whispers that we’re unlovable, when the enemy accuses, we come back to Romans 5:8. We remember: He loved me then. He loves me still.
Action steps to help you on your journey.
Take five minutes today to reflect on the love of God shown through Christ’s sacrifice. Let gratitude rise in your heart.
Write a short note or text to someone who may feel unloved or unworthy, remind them they are deeply loved by God.
Confess any lingering guilt or shame to God today, and receive again the truth that Jesus already paid for it at the cross.
Today’s challenge:
Let God’s love shape the way you see yourself and others today. You didn’t earn it, and you can’t lose it. Live boldly in the confidence that you are fully known and fully loved.
Father, thank You for loving me before I even knew how to love You back. Thank You for sending Jesus to die for me, not after I got it all together, but while I was still a sinner. Help me walk in the freedom and confidence of Your love today. Let me be a reflection of that love to those who feel lost or forgotten. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
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