◄ What Does Romans 5:6 Mean? ►

Paul's passion is to share the good news of justification by grace in simple steps, which gently leads to a conclusion. He explains that having been eternally saved by grace, we should glory in the trials and tribulations of life which God uses to develop in us perseverance, a godly character, and an unshakable and eternal hope in the loving promises of God.

The precious promises of God are poured into our hearts by the Spirit, and Paul cements his argument with the assurance that while we were weak and ungodly, without strength and without hope – Christ, the good and gracious God, died for us ungodly sinners who were dead in trespasses and sins.

Oh, what an astonishing contrast from our former selves is this glorious state of being in Christ. Our weakness is in opposition to His strength, our lack lies in contradistinction to His great bounty, our disinterested ungodliness starkly contrasts with His goodness, gracious humility, and deep, deep love.

God is never late, but is always there at the right time, the best time, the needed time - His appointed time. And so, it was at the right time that Christ died. Some wonder why there was such a long time between the fall of Adam and the sacrifice of Christ, but in God's economy, it was the right time for you and me, and the right time for humanity as a whole.

Indeed, multiple times in the Gospels, we hear Jesus telling people, "My hour has not yet come - My time has not yet come." But God's Word is never broken, and the perfect time came, as recorded by John: "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified."

How can we doubt His love, for He died for us when we were undesirable, unlovely, and unlovable? But because of His great love, He came as our representative Man to be a pattern for our learning, living His life in the power of the Spirit, to demonstrate how we too should live. 

Let us be comforted in our own lives when we desire His workings, and it seems that He has delayed or is long overdue. In God's economy, He will act at the right time – the best time.

Loving Heavenly Father, praise Your holy name, for when I was weak and in the pit of despair, You sent Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, at the right time, to be my strength and my life. In His name, I thank You and praise You, AMEN.