St. John’s

- Saint John’s Pulpit – "While We Still Were Sinners” Romans 5:1-11

Were we qualified?

One of questions which we should ask this Lenten season might be this. What did we do when Jesus saved us? Or How were we when Jesus saved us? What we know about this question is God so loved us and the world. John 3:16 clearly confirms this fact:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." John 3:16 NRSV

We all know it whether you go to church or eat burgers at an In-N- Out Burger restaurant (John 3:16 is seen on the bottom rim of soda cups and wrappers there!). If John 3:16 gives a general idea about our salvation, the text today gives more detailed information. It tells about our status when Jesus died on the Cross. Let me ask a couple of questions.

Were we good enough to be saved?

Were we qualified to ask Jesus’ sacrifice?

For these questions, it seems that Apostle Paul had thought seriously. Then, he presents his ideas in the text today. What status were people in when they were saved? Please look at these three verses:

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6 NRSV

But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NRSV

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. Romans 5:10 NRSV

Can you see one repeated expression from these verses?

While we were still weak...
While we still were sinners...
While we were enemies...

Here and now Apostle Paul affirms that Jesus died for us who were weak, sinners and enemies. In other words, it was impossible for us to be saved by what we did and who we were. Sometimes, whenever we watch movies, we see one main figure sacrifices him/herself to save all human being in the world. However, what about to die for sinners or enemies?

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. Romans 5:7-8 NRSV

A Danger of Judgement

Our religious passion sometimes makes us forget who we were. Of course it is no wonder because we are people of ‘oblivion’. Simply speaking, becoming righteous and pretending righteous are totally different! To some Christians, attending Sunday service looks like their great privilege and gives them a wrong input that they are better than non-churchgoers. To other Christians, giving offerings is a sign of their deep faith (or commitment), so it makes them feel a sense of superiority. In this way, a danger of judgement is stirring up their faith community. By their own standard people easily blame on others because they do not meet their expectation. Without thinking of their sinful life (and nature), people easily put a ‘scarlet letter’ on others. Instead of understanding others, people demand their ideas and ask others to follow.

Let's look at all churches in the world. Although we say that we are one body in Christ, but still there are lots of differences among us such as tradition, theology, Biblical interpretation, the way of baptism, liturgy, worship time, worship style, and even worship place. In spite of all these differences, what makes us feel that we are the same? Jesus died for us when we were still weak, sinners and enemies. When we had no way to resolve our sinful life, Jesus put an end our shackle of sins through His death on the Cross and finally we could be reconciled to God.

For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. 15 And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NRSV

After all, the greatest lesson of the Lent is love and forgiveness. It is easy to blame others on their mistakes and wrongdoings. However, we agree that it is very hard to forgive and embrace others. Whenever we feel it is hard, let us remember who we were when Jesus died for us. This maybe what we need in our denomination as well as in our world...