Romans 5:6 - For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
There are two words used in this verse to describe humanity, neither of which we would typically want someone to use when talking about us. The first is the word, “weak”, and the second is the word, “ungodly”. Weakness is not something that we like to admit, because when we are weak, it means that we are unable to do certain things that we otherwise should be able to do. Weakness indicates that something is missing or lacking, and when we hear that we are weak, we tend to take that personally.
In this case, our weakness is our inability to live up to the standard God has given us. No matter how hard we try, we will always fall short of the glory of God. In and of ourselves, we can’t save ourselves from God’s wrath, we can’t pay for the sins that we have committed or will commit in the future. We are weak with regard to temptation, and we are weak in our defense against the devil’s attacks. Truth be told, we are far less strong than we imagine ourselves to be.
Our weakness affects us in many ways, but perhaps the greatest threat it poses is in our pursuit of morality, holiness and goodness. This leads to Paul using the word “ungodly” to describe humanity in our natural state. We may be made in the image of God, but when it comes to how we live, we make all kinds of decisions that are contrary to that image. We carry with us a natural leaning towards rebellion and autonomy from God to the point where Paul later refers to us as enemies of God.
How does it feel to be called weak and ungodly? When you think of yourself in those terms, are you quick to want to defend yourself, or do you recognize that these words are accurate? If you deny these things, you will most likely see no value in Christ dying for you. If you are already strong enough and godly enough on your own, what good is a promised savior? However, if you see that these statements are true about you, then you will see hope and salvation in the death of Christ, and you will be glad that you have someone far greater than yourself to rely on and trust in.
God has given us a strong savior in Jesus. He has given us a perfectly moral savior in Jesus. Not only that, but He is the savior who came at just the right time. If you had to think of the perfect time in history for Jesus to come into the world and do what he did, what time would you come up with? No doubt, it would be impossible for any of us to know when that perfect time would be. Yet, God knew, and in his perfect will and plan Jesus died at the perfect time.
Live your day today believing these things. You were weak, but now you have strength in Christ. You were ungodly, but now you have been given the godliness of Christ. You were once an enemy of God, but now you live as his child through Christ. These things are true of you today and tomorrow as well, through faith in Jesus. What great mercy and comfort we have through him!
