Golden Nugget: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 

Daily Verse: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” —Romans 5:8

Daily Message:
Chances are you have watched a love story unfold at some point in your life. Maybe it was in your own life or in someone else’s. Maybe it was in a classic movie or book. Either way, a story that portrays true love resonates with all of us.

But have you ever had someone show you love by volunteering to take the consequences for your wrong actions? Have you ever offered to take someone else’s punishment because you loved them? I wracked my brain to think of a time when I have done this for someone else, and I couldn’t come up with one single example. 

Good thing God isn’t like me.

This verse tells us that God showed his love in an extravagant way. He died for us so that we didn’t have to experience the consequence of our sinful state: being separated from him. He didn’t wait for us to get our acts together or even ask for help to come to us. He took the fall. That’s true love if I ever saw it.

Consider This:

• How would you describe true love?
• What about God’s expression of love speaks to you the most?

Take Action:
Research different meanings of the word “love.” Of all the definitions you can find, which one most closely resembles the kind of love God showed when he took the punishment for your sins? Thank him for this amazing love.