Ungodly

 “For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly.” – Romans 5:6 CSB  

Ungodly and helpless, that is what we were.

Who do you consider to be ungodly? That person can “call upon the name of the Lord and be saved” (Romans 10:13). Have you ever considered yourself “ungodly”? If not, then have you truly “called upon the name of the Lord” to be saved?

On my 30th birthday, I “planned” my funeral (I am now 36). It was a helpful exercise to keep the reality of life, death, and eternity in perspective. One of the notes I jotted down was that I would like Psalm 34:6 referenced on my tombstone: “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him from all his troubles.” That is the essence of the Gospel – we are vulnerable, helpless, unable to save ourselves, and at the right time, God sent forth his Son (Galatians 4:4) and he lived, died, and rose again in our place. Indeed, as Romans 5:8 proclaims, “But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 

Martin Luther called the letter to the Romans “the purest Gospel.” It is little wonder when we consider all that is communicated throughout this beautiful letter, and especially here in chapter 5. Have you experienced the grace that John Newton sang about, “that saved a wretch like me,” or Isaac Watts, “for such a worm as I?” Some hesitate to use such words as “wretch” and “worm” in their songs, but Scripture uses the term, “ungodly.” This poor man is thankful that at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly.  

Prayer

“Lord, thank you for hearing the cry of this helpless ungodly sinner and sending your Son, in your time, to die for me. May I be faithful to share this good news with others. Amen.”