Christ Died for the Ungodly

What if we treated every person as if Jesus died for them? Would that affect how we spoke to everyone? How would it change the way we responded to someone’s behavior you find off-putting? Would it be easier to respect them? Would it be easier to pray for them? I venture to say that treating everyone I meet as if Jesus died for them hasn’t been my reality. I also venture to say it would change my view of people, and consequently, I would pray for others more. The truth is every person walking on this planet Jesus Christ died for; now I realize not every person will accept Jesus Christ as Lord. And that’s all well and good because God made man with free will, and He respects the choices he makes. Then why do we! Have a difficult time respecting something God has so freely given? The answer to this question lies in our capacity to love; it’s a love question! Which in and of ourselves we’re running on empty. We Need Jesus! God so loved that He gave, John 3:16. So, much so that He has never stopped giving! But when Jesus Christ becomes Lord of your life, the love of God is shed aboard in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, Rom. 5:5. 

The Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ is a package deal. Jesus said, abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me, John 15:4. Now the Holy Spirit’s fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance, Gal. 5:22. You can’t bear the fruit of the spirit without Jesus. You can have good works, but good deeds aren’t a manifestation of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Again whether a man accepts Jesus as Lord is another issue, and frankly, it’s none of our business but God’s business. 

Too many times, one may measure themselves by the flaws of others. Which they know nothing about, which can be pride and hypocrisy. In the Book of Romans, chapter 5, the believer is justified by faith through Jesus Christ. But in verse 6 is most telling Christ died for the ungodly! Not for the up-right person, but the broken person, the person with off-putting behavior. The person you don’t like for whatever reason! That person is valuable to God, and He created them just as He created you. With all of your quirks, He still loves you! So, the next time someone offends, remember, Christ died for them and handle them like the precious vessel God made. And maybe it will be easier to pray for them. Don’t return in kind behavior; why? because you can do all things in Christ who strengthens you, Phil. 4:13!

Jesus loves you!