“God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”
Paul concludes verse 5 of Romans 5 linking God’s love with the gift of the Holy Spirit. When we read this, we immediately think of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out. Also there was a similar event with Cornelius and his Gentile household when Peter shared the Gospel. Both events are linked in Christian thinking with water baptism and our beliefs surrounding this ritual/sacrament. Paul continues to clarify,
“6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 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.”
Christians debate the how much the person being baptized needs to truly understand what is happening but this passage is clear that the Holy Spirit is a gift, undeserved, while we are still sinners God reaches out and justifies us. In receiving baptism we act out our faith in God’s promise. “While we were sinners” God brought about justification. It is not something we have to be good enough for, understand enough for, or believe enough to receive. It is a gift offered by God. We need only receive with both hands, palms up and empty.
When I am down and discouraged about my inability to live up to what I think faith requires, I remember this verse. God loved all of us not because we deserved it or earned it but because his nature is love and he wants to be in relationship with us broken creations of his.
How to make this seem real? Perhaps today draw a stick figure of yourself. Which part of that figure is broken and needs attention. Or perhaps you have a loved one who now suffers with dementia and no longer recognizes himself or a challenged child or a wayward child. Put a bandage on your picture and write, “God’s love, I am baptized and the Holy Spirit is healing me!” Wow.
On the Way to Wonder 