“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” – Romans 5:6
When Paul writes in Romans 5:6 that “in due time Christ died for the ungodly,” he’s not just giving us a theological timestamp—he’s revealing the eternal heartbeat of God. This love didn’t begin at the Cross; it was planned before the foundation of the world. It’s not a reaction to our repentance or a reward for our goodness. It’s unending, unchanging, and entirely initiated by God Himself. Paul isn’t just showing us the way of salvation—he’s showing us the love that produced it. Just as John 3:16 declares, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,” Romans 5:6 echoes that truth with clarity and weight. God’s love was not a last-minute rescue—it was a preplanned redemption. And that love is what gives us assurance. If God loved us before we ever knew Him, He will surely keep us now that we belong to Him.
This love is not only unending—it’s unrestrained. Paul doesn’t point to Christ’s miracles, teachings, or even His resurrection in this passage. He points to His death. Why? Because it was through His death that salvation was secured. Hebrews 2:9 says, “that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.” And who did He die for? Not the righteous, not the strong, not the deserving—but the ungodly. That’s us. We were without strength, unable to save ourselves, dead in sin, and blind to truth. Yet God loved us anyway. He didn’t look down and see something lovely—He looked down and chose to love what was unlovely. That’s the mystery of divine love. It’s not drawn to beauty or merit—it creates it. And if He loved us when we were enemies, how much more will He love us now that we are His children?
Stop measuring God’s love by your performance. Stop wondering if He’ll stop loving you because you’ve stumbled. If He loved you when you were dead in sin, He will not abandon you now that you’ve been made alive in Christ. Let that truth settle deep in your heart. Let it silence the lies of condemnation. Let it stir up worship, gratitude, and confidence. God’s love is unending—it was always there. And it is unrestrained—it knows no bounds. If you’ve ever questioned your salvation, look to the Cross. If you’ve ever doubted His love, remember who you were when He chose you. That is your assurance. That is your anchor. And that is the love that never fails.
“Having mentioned the pouring out of God’s love, Paul now described the character of God’s love, which explains why its pouring out assures the believer of hope.” – John A Witmer
surrendered devotions 