Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
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. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. ~ Romans 5:1-11
Reconciliation with God—a free gift and cause for great rejoicing. Imagine giving up your own life for someone else. You may sacrifice yourself for your spouse or your child or your parent, but probably not for someone you didn’t know—especially for someone evil. Yet Jesus gave up His life so we, the sinners and evil ones, could live. He didn’t wait until we repented to die, but He died so we would repent.
Lord, I repent of my sins that led to Jesus’ death on the cross. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, empower me to live a life pleasing to You. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.