Celebrate! May 31, 2025 Devotional
May 31, 2025
ROMANS 5:6-10 | 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. 8 But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. 9 Much more surely, therefore, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.
For Christians the word sacrifice has deeper dimensions still. Sacrifice for us is a word which connects to love and grace, to joy and gratitude, to freedom and liberty. Jesus’ sacrifice overcame both individual and collective guilt and shame, for those who believe. It secured unqualified relief for the debtor, release for the prisoner, and pardon for the lawbreaker. His sacrifice secures our standing at final judgement, and lifts guilt and shame in the present, allowing us to pursue love and justice, in the power of the Spirit, without fear. The Resurrection demonstrates God’s power over death and evil and shows us the glory and fulfillment of the life to come, which even now we can taste and see. Only this truth turns a symbol of Roman torture into a sign of Divine love and future felicity.
Think today about the Cross.
Gracious God,
Show us, today, Your living presence, Your gentle power, Your perfect guidance, and Your cascading joy.
Amen.
