For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:6-8

Remember that Romans 3:23 informed us that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” So when Paul labels us a enemies he is painting an accurate picture of us before we knew Him.

From the time when sin entered this world, God has put His plan into motion to reconcile His enemies through His love. Paul was literally, openly living as an enemy before his encounter with the risen Christ recorded in Acts 9. As an enemy Paul went door to door and placed men and women in prison because of their belief in Christ as Savior. Yet Paul records these words in Romans 5: 8 –

“God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

None of us have probably been involved in outward persecution like Paul, but what about other ways? Take a few moments and think about your life. How have you been an enemy of God?

While we were separated from God, He made the first step – a step only He could make to restore us to a relationship with Him. So remember that “when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation” (Romans 5:10-11).

Maybe today we can reflect on what God has done to restore us just because of His love for us. Maybe we can share that Love and be reconciled to someone in our lives.