The Answer to the Problem

Scripture indicates that we -- all humans -- have a problem ... a big problem. We are, by nature, sinners, enemies of God. That is not a small problem. And it is a problem for which we have no remedy. So we read of how God addressed that problem.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8)

It's interesting, isn't it? He didn't wait for us to turn. He didn't wait for us to notice Him. He demonstrated the love He had for us while we were yet sinners by sending His Son to die for us while we were yet sinners. "For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly" (Rom 5:6). I suspect we have softened that term, "ungodly," but I'm sure you can see its basic meaning. "Anti-God." Not merely "bad people" or something. We were specifically opposed to God. And in that, we were completely helpless. And then we read this:

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." (Rom 5:10)

Now, notice, first, the timing. "While we were enemies." Not "lost" or "misguided" -- enemies. We weren't simply mistaken; we were at war. Hostile to God. Christ didn't die because we were confused; He died for His enemies. Notice, second, the solution to the problem of "sinners," "helpless," "enemies." By the death of Christ we were reconciled to God. We were under His wrath (Rom 1:18) and then, through faith in Christ, we were ... reconciled. God was propitiated, appeased (Rom 3:25). We have peace with God (Rom 5:1). But that was only the half of it. We were reconciled to God by Christ's death, but, further, "we shall be saved by His life." Jesus said, "Because I live, you shall live also" (John 14:19).

Paul gave the gospel this way.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. (1 Cor 15:3-5)

The Gospel ... the good news ... is not only that Christ died for our sins. His resurrection is a critical component. Because He lives, we shall live also. Because of His life after death, we shall be saved. In His grace and mercy the Father sent His Son with a complete remedy for a thoroughly bad problem that we carried around. "Through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned" (Rom 5:12). But Jesus was the solution. "The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification" (Rom 5:16). God is good ... all the time.