For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
Romans 5:10
How do we know God’s character is truly what God says it is? How do we know He is faithful, forgiving, and delights in steadfast love? Obviously, He tells us in the Bible. But God doesn’t just say words. He shows his steadfast love in His actions.
Even when we were dead in our sins, enemies of God, even when we were unworthy of God’s love, God gave it anyway. God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Don’t take ‘God shows His love’ lightly! It was a tremendous cost. God sacrificed His one and only perfect Son, Jesus, so that we could be reconciled. Jesus was willing to lay down his life to pay the debt of sin we owed. Jesus bore God’s wrath in our place!
But it doesn’t end with Jesus’ death. This month we’ll celebrate Resurrection Sunday because God raised Jesus from the dead, defeating our sin and death! Jesus’ death is proof of God’s steadfast love for us, and His resurrection is confirmation that we have a perfect mediator to stand on our behalf before a holy God (Hebrews 7:25). If our mediator was willing to lay down his life to reconcile us, his enemies, how much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life!
This is grace.
Studio Update:
It’s spring! The daffodils are starting to pop, and the hellebores are blooming, too. For the first week since November of last year, I had flowers on my desk at work! It’s been too long.
I’ve still been painting and drawing as usual. Here’s some snapshots from my latest projects (do I ever just have one?). The white peonies were definitely a challenge, but I’m pretty happy with them now. I’m painting on some soon-to-become fabric for summer, and dreaming about planting things in the garden.
Thanks for stopping by!
Blair