The plastic mouse was on a fine thread. It climbed up out of a cup and ran up the salesman’s sleeve. As a young boy I watched wide-eyed. The salesman said his little trick mouse was a wonderful buy, as the crowd also watched the amazing tricks. He said it was sure to please and worth every penny.
I stepped forward, put my two dollars down and picked up the amazing mouse. In only a few minutes I realized I didn’t have the salesman’s touch! The little mouse didn’t run so smoothly now and seemed to have forgotten all its tricks. I realized I’d been tricked, or needed a lot of practice.
God highly recommends His love to us, and it’s free. No tricks here. The closer you look, the better it is. This is real love, and He proved it when He gave His only Son to die for sinners. This is what the Bible verse says. “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)).
The verse talks about three things. First, it speaks of God’s love. God recommends it. He introduces us to it and goes on to prove that it’s true and real. This isn’t love on a string doing tricks and passing off empty promises.
Second, it speaks of our sin. Amazing! God offers His love to sinners. Ever meet a sinner? He’s always the other person. But we can’t really accept His love until we bow before God and admit, “I am a sinner and need a Saviour.” All we have to do to meet a sinner is look in the mirror. God doesn’t wait until we’ve cleaned up our act. That would be never. He loves us now.
Third, it speaks of Christ’s death. Here is the perfect proof of that love. People ask, “How can the death of a man 2000 years ago affect me in 1996?” First realize this Man was no ordinary 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 on Himself the curse and judgment sin brought upon mankind. In accepting Him as your Saviour, the pardon His death purchased is yours.
The verse is simple, the words plain. But the message is powerful and life changing. Jesus Christ is not a salesman offering empty promises; He is the Saviour. Have you trusted Him?
ML-01/14/1996