CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY

Romans 5:6-8 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

All people of the world, that have the mental ability to recognize sinful disobedience, are placed in one category by the lesson text - all are ungodly. All, during life on earth, were dead in trespasses and sins ...(and) walked according to the course of this world, according to (Satan) the prince of the power of the air (Eph 2:1-2). Paul confessed that himself, and Titus, as well as all Christians capable of understanding the gospel message of Jesus Christ were then, and are today, sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another (Titus3:3). All are sinners, and, as the lesson text says, it was for the ungodly that, in due time Christ died.

The phrase, without strength, generally refers to the waning of one's physical strength that has deteriorated due to disease or age. However, in the context of this lesson, it refers to the ungodly sinners' inability to reconcile themselves with the sinlessness of God. To come into the presence of God, the sin of mankind must be justified - atonement for sin must have been made. As mortal beings, we do not possess the strength, or ability to carry out this reconciliation. No human being has ever possessed the ability to gain eternal salvation on their own. Without Christ, that is, outside the body of Christ, His Church, there can be no forgiveness of sins. It was God's plan, from the beginning of time, to provide the sacrificial lamb, His Son, Jesus Christ, as the only atoning power by which mankind can be reconciled to God.

This is the exact meaning of the inspired message of the apostle Peter when he wrote, But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God (1 Pet. 1:19-21). These last times, spoken of by Peter, and the fullness of the time found in Paul's letter to the church at Galatia (Gal. 4:4), are the same as the due time found in the lesson text. All refer to the Christian Dispensation - that time following the human birth, life, sacrificial death, resurrection, and ascension back into heaven of the Messiah, the Son of God. This was God's commendation of His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus told us that the greatest demonstration of love one can make is to give their own life to save that of another (John 15:13). This greatest love is exactly what the Son of God did for mankind. He sacrificed His own life that all ungodly sinners could be forgiven, be reconciled to God, and have the hope of eternal life in heaven. This is how we recognize the wonderful love of God for the souls of all mankind, because He (the Son of God) laid down His life for us (1 John 3:16). Notice how this divine event was the fulfillment of this God-inspired prophecy of Isaiah: But He (the Son of God) was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:5-6).

The lesson text tells us, in verse 7, that it is rare to find anyone that would give their life for another, even if the other person's life were filled with righteousness and good works. As an extreme contrast, consider that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. As sinners we are displeasing enemies in the sight of God. Observing the ungodliness of such unrepentant sinners, God is filled with wrathful anger, and His just reward for such is eternal punishment. But thanks be to God, He provided a way of escape. Eternal punishment can be replaced with the eternal bliss of heaven, by simply coming to Jesus Christ, accepting Him as our Savior, being baptized into His body and living an obedient life thereafter. The two verses following the lesson text gives us this assurance. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For 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 (Rom. 5:9-10).