The little plastic mouse was on a fine thread. It climbed up out of a cup and ran up the man’s sleeve. As a young boy, I watched wide-eyed. The seller sang its praises as the crowd also watched the amazing feats.
It was highly commended—and worth every penny! I stepped forward, put my two dollars down, and picked up the amazing mouse. In a few more minutes I realized I didn’t have the man’s touch!
The little fellow didn’t run so smoothly now, and he seemed to have forgotten all his tricks. I realized I’d been tricked, or I needed a lot of practice.
God commends His love to us. No tricks here. The closer you look, the better it is. Peel back the surface and find more of the same. This is real love, and He demonstrated it when He gave His Son.
This is what the Bible says: “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)).
That verse talks about three things. First, it speaks of God’s love. God commends it. He introduces us to it and proves it. This isn’t love on a string doing tricks and delivering empty promises.
Second, it speaks of our sin. Amazing! God presents His love to sinners. He doesn’t wait until we’ve cleaned up our act. That would be never! He loves us now.
Ever meet a sinner? He’s always the other person. But we don’t progress spiritually until we bow before God and admit, “I am a sinner and need a Savior.” Look in the mirror.
Third, it speaks of Christ’s death. Here is the grand proof of that love. People ask, “How can the death of a man 2000 years ago affect me today?” First, realize this Man was no mere man!
Jesus was the Son of God! He was more than just a carpenter, more than just a “shining example.” In laying down His sinless life, He took the curse and judgment sin brought upon mankind. In receiving Him, the pardon His death purchases is ours.
The verse is simple, the words plain. But the message is powerful and life-changing. Stop and think about it for a few minutes. “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
He is no trickster; He’s the Savior. Have you ever trusted Him?