by Ricky Smith
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by grace ye are saved;
“Even when”. Those are two powerful words that are often glanced over in the anticipation of what comes next. There is great peace and hope that comes in what follows, as Paul describes that we were once dead, but now have life; having been saved by grace.
We should pause and reflect on, “even then”. In our sin and in spite of our past, He loves us. Like me, you may not have a checkered past. Having been reared in a Christian home and exposed to the Gospel early, I’ve never felt the sting of a hangover and was virgin when I married.
Perhaps my sin was worse! I knew better! I walked the path of addiction. I rebelled against my earthly and heavenly Father. I neglected to heed wise counsel. “Even then” He loved and still loves. Romans 5:6-10 are key to understand this truth. Verse 10 summarizes God’s love in this way, “ For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”