The first way we can experience God’s love is through internal assurance of his Spirit (v.5). But what about times we don’t feel it? The second way we know God loves us is looking to the objective, concrete evidence of God’s love (v.6) – you can look back to a day in history, and point at a man dying on a cross, and know that God loves you.
What were we like when Christ died for us (v.8)?
"Dear Lord, thank for loving me so much that you would send Jesus to die for me, even when I didn’t deserve it. Thank you for your pouring your love into my heart through the assurance of your Spirit. Help me live out my faith reflecting the hope I’ve found in you. Amen.”
Once, we were “enemies” with God (v.10). Once, our future was “wrath” (v.9). Jesus’ death changed all that. Now that we have been declared righteous, we are no longer enemies. Instead of looking forward to wrath, we anticipate salvation. We can rejoice because we now have friendship (reconciliation) with God!
What was accomplished for us by the death of God’s Son (v.10)?
"God, I thank you that through Christ’s death and resurrection, I can be completely reconciled to you – to know the peace and privilege of relationship with you. I don’t want to take it for granted, so help me grow closer to you daily in this relationship. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
As “head” (representative) of humanity, Adam’s sin is our sin, his death is our death. Paul is not simply saying that we all sin like Adam, but that we all sinned in Adam. But even if God had tested each human being individually, the result would have been the same: disobedience. Thankfully by condemning the human race through one man (our old “head” Adam), God was then able to save the human race through one Man (our new “head” Jesus Christ)!