Much, Much More
- Bishop Keith Butler
- May 10, 2023
- 2 min read
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 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. (Romans 5:9-10)
God loves us much more than we can imagine. This may seem hard to believe, given the immeasurable love that God showed us through the death of His Son. But the phrase much more used in Romans 5:9-10 is powerful.
As Christians, we often find ourselves caught in the tension between God's mercy and our own imperfection. Some people still wonder if God truly accepts and loves them, since they still make mistakes and fall short of His perfect will. Because of this, many people feel they must be perfect to earn God's love and approval. But the Gospel tells us God loved us before we were saved, and His love hasn’t grown cold. He loves us much more!
God loves us the way we are, but that doesn’t mean the expectation of living holy is thrown out the window. Instead, it tells us that if we are truly born again, we had a change of heart and should now desire to live in a way that honors God.
When we fall short and miss God’s perfect will from time to time, it may be because of our own pride, ignorance, or our flesh. In those moments of error, it's easy to feel condemned and unworthy of God's love. But the knowledge that God loves us much more now than He did before should keep us from depression and sorrow. His love should draw us back to the path that He has called us to walk. We can find comfort in knowing that God's love for us is not based on our own merit, but on the sacrifice of His Son. We were saved because God sent His only Son based on His love for us. His love is much more than we could ever comprehend.
Practical Application
God loves you with a depth we cannot currently comprehend. Meditating on God’s love can help you in your daily walk. When you feel discouraged or depressed, pause for a moment and remind yourself of how much God loves you. Understanding this love can also help us extend mercy toward others, even when they fail or disappoint us. He loved us so much that we ought to love others.
