Today’s Devotional: “A Most Uncommon Love”

The Apostle Paul declares the depth of God’s unbelievable love, and it’s probably the clearest definition we have of “agape,” or God’s unconditional love.

“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.” (Romans 5:6-7)

The illustration shows how some people try to save others caught in tragedy. Today, these people are mainly first responders who run into a building to save the inhabitants whom they neither know nor have ever met. It also describes those who put themselves in harm’s way for those they love.

But this is never a person’s first choice.

Not so Christ! He went beyond. Not only did He die for the righteous and moral, but He also died for those who were His own people, the Jews, and for those who hated Him and were His enemies.

He died for the ungodly, that is, for those who are the worst of the worst. He died for those who live lifestyles directly opposed to God and His word, who profane God’s name, and who ask God to leave them alone. Basically, He died for all of us!

He also died for those who are without strength, that is, those who are unlovely and unlovable, the castoffs of society, the untouchables, and those who are destitute and without value to society. Again, basically all of us!

Jesus then showed the most uncommon form of love to everyone. It was a love that transcends human understanding because it has nothing to do with human love. Only God can give it.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)