Pentecost 3 – Proper 6
Romans 5:6-15
Martini Lutheran Church New Haven, IN
14 June 2026
God Demonstrated His Love for us.
Today is Flag Day. American citizens on this day are encouraged to fly the star-spangled banner. What does the flag stand for? For some, the flag stands for freedom.
For others, the flag reminds us that Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness remain the foundational phrase from the United States Declaration of Independence, adopted two hundred fifty years ago. The American flag may also remind us of the American premise that all men are created equal.
In his letter to the Romans, Paul addresses a predominantly Jewish audience. Jews living in Rome in the 1st Century understood that all men were not created equal.
Instead, those listening to Paul’s letter believed that there were, at any given time, three groupings of men living on planet earth. They believed that humanity was divided into three categories of class.
These three groups were made up of the “righteous ones.” (Tzadikim Nistarim) There were also a few “good men.” (Benim)Finally, living amongst us were “the sinners” or ‘evil ones.’ (Resha’im)
It was these three groups of people living together on this planet: The Righteous Ones, a few good men, and the evil ones.
The “righteous” were in a category all their own. They needed no help. They were already perfect, holy, and pure.
The world was still intact and would not spin out of control because there were, at least a few righteous men on the earth at any given time. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because the Lord could not find ten righteous men living there. (Genesis 18:16–33) Such righteous ones were men such as Abraham, Enoch, Elijah, and Job just to name a few.
Those reading Paul’s letter for the first time were serious concerning their faith. Through a strict following of the law and by holy living they remained ethical, moral, principled, “good men.” Their goal was simple. To be better.
The rest were simply worthless. They were trolls. They were “the dirties” of the world. They were beyond help. They were to be shunned.
These were “the ungodly.” They were “helpless,” “sinners.” Beyond God’s mercy. Stay clear of them, the people were warned. They were to be avoided. At all costs.
So imagine the reaction that must have happened when Paul’s audience heard these remarkable words: “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)
This turned their moral compass upside down! It literally rocked their world!
So how do you understand words such as love, and grace? Only by knowing Christ’s mercy are you able to show mercy. Again, this is not a natural characteristic of sinful humankind. By God’s grace, every believer not only knows these divine words but also believes them and lives them.
St. Paul explains: "When you were dead in your sins and in the un-circumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins." (Colossians 2:13)
Through the message of the gospel God our heavenly Father reveals His love for us.
While we were still sinners, Christ has died for us.
I. WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS,
A. “While we were still sinners…” Paul comes straight to the point. No one can escape the effects of sin that affect all of mankind.
B. Paul explains: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” Paul includes himself when he uses the word “we.” Sin also lived in him.
Sin is destructive. It renders us “powerless,” No one can save himself. “Ungodly” describes every sinful thought, word, or deed of every person regardless of status or class.
C. “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.” Remember. The righteous needed no one to take their place, while good men might find a substitute in their place. Yet, “For our sake, He made Him to be sin who knew no sin so that in him, we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:22) Here we find that great exchange, God’s mercy, and love purchased at the cost of His own Son.
“For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Christ, who was sinless, took humanity’s sin upon Himself, so that you would be declared righteous and sinless before God our Father.
II. CHRIST HAS DIED FOR US
A. “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.”
As fallen creatures we are rendered “powerless,” to save ourselves. Christ died not only for sinners but the “ungodly.”
B. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This is the Father’s great love for all. “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!” Jesus’ blood cleanses all people from the weight and consequences of sin.
C. “For if, 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!” says St. Paul.
Those who were once enemies are now made right (reconciled) with God. When coming to terms with the unpleasant reality that we cannot change our sinful selves the Lord Jesus took matters into his own hands as He bore your sin to the cruel cross on Calvary’s hill.
Isaiah looking well into the future writes: “Surely, he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray we have turned ever one – to his own way and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of our all.” (Isaiah 53:4-6)
D. Paul concludes: “We have received reconciliation.” Christ’s forgiveness is full and complete.
“But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)
Only by the blood of Jesus is there forgiveness. This holy blood of Jesus forgives all sin; not a few, some, or many - but all sin. In this the Savior shows us his great love and care.
E. The LORD speaking through the prophet Isaiah reminds us: “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off; Do not fear, for I am with you, Do not be afraid for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my Victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:9b-10)
You need not fear. Your every concern the Lord Jesus takes to Himself. Today, recognized how import Christ’s work on the cross is for you.
He suffered for your sake. And because of that, you can know that Jesus can understand when you go through challenging times and experience difficult days.
If you think you have nothing in life, behold His cross, where you will find the Father’s love for you.
When life seems difficult, turn to the Scriptures, the Lord’s promises will never change.
Whenever you experience pain or regret – hear the Gospel’s promise that Jesus forgives you.
You are restored back to the Father through the work of Jesus the Son on his glorious cross.
To this day the American flag invokes many thoughts and feelings for us as citizens. As for you, Christian, the cross of Christ stands strong while the world spins.
Today believe and rejoice in the freedom you receive from the gospel message Paul proclaim so many years ago – that God our heavenly Father has demonstrated His grace for you – And then live in that freedom which is yours in Christ Jesus your Savior.
Words – 1,435
Passive Sentences –13.2%
Readability – 77%
Reading Level - 5.5
Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things
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