Romans 5:8 – While we were still sinners 

… yet God is commending this love of His to us, seeing that, while we are still sinners, Christ died for our sakes.

You would easily read over it, “while we are still sinners.” Make note that this is in the past. The message in this statement is: we are no longer sinners. That is the common thread running through these chapters. The one who believes is counted by GOD as righteous. In chapter 6, Paul will explain that we are made one with Christ and share in His position. When Christ died, we died. And when he was raised, we were raised. GOD sees us “in Christ” and therefore perfect. That’s how GOD reckons. He is already counting us now, as we will be later. Not my past but his future determines my identity.

Learn to reckon as GOD reckons. We are no longer sinners. The idea that we must fight the sin in us to the last gasp is a denial of our justification. It also only brings frustration (see end of Romans 7: “I a wretched man!”). Do you want to know who you are? Do not look at yourself or inside yourself or at your past. Look to the resurrected Christ and realize: this is how GOD sees me!

Delen: