God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Robert Todd Lincoln lived under the extensive shadow of his father, beloved American president Abraham Lincoln. Long after his father’s death, Robert’s identity was engulfed by his father’s overwhelming presence. Lincoln’s close friend, Nicholas Murray Butler, wrote that Robert often said, “No one wanted me for secretary of war; they wanted Abraham Lincoln’s son. No one wanted me for minister to England; they wanted Abraham Lincoln’s son. No one wanted me for president of the Pullman Company; they wanted Abraham Lincoln’s son.”
Such frustration isn’t limited to the children of the famous. We all are familiar with the feeling of not being valued for who we are. Yet nowhere is the depth of our value more evident than in the way God loves us.
The apostle Paul recognized us for who we were in our sins, and for who we become in Christ. He wrote, “At just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). God loves us because of who we are—even at our worst! Paul wrote, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (v. 8). God values us so much that He allowed His Son to go to the cross on our behalf.
Who are we? We’re God’s beloved children. Who could ask for more?
When have you felt lost in another person’s shadow? How will you permit this to teach you about God’s concern for you individually?
Father, I thank You that You love me for who I am and what I am, and that Your forgiveness and love are mine.
For further study, explore Finding Our Identity in Christ.
INSIGHT
A central theme of Romans 5:6–10 is our reconciliation to God—something we might doubt if we focus on our struggles and the things we regret. Paul discusses justification by faith in Jesus (v. 1). This justification brings us a wonderful hope: complete salvation from our sins and eternity with God the Father. Paul notes how we’ve been “justified by [Christ’s] blood” (v. 9). Then he makes the point that if Jesus’ death was enough to rescue us when we were dead in our sins, how much more so is His life (v. 10)! This salvation rescues us from God’s righteous wrath against sin. In chapter 6, Paul deals with the dangerous heresy that it’s okay to go on sinning since Christ’s blood brings complete forgiveness from sin. He says, “We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (v. 2).