Just In Time

Romans 5:6 (New Living Translation)
When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.

Have you ever had a sense or feeling of helplessness?  I remember several months ago I was cruising down a street in my 2004 Kia Spectra on my way home from work, minding my own business, listening to sports radio.  It was a road I'd traveled many, many times...my favorite and most-used route.  As I came within less than a block from the last intersection before the speed limit increased from 45 to 55 mph, I noticed an SUV approach the intersection from the left.  Paying close attention to the other vehicle, I watched to make sure it was going to stop...it did not.

By the time the driver of the SUV made the decision to run the intersection, it was too late for me.  I was less than 50 feet from the intersection traveling between 45 and 50 mph.  I was completely helpless to prevent the inevitable; I was GOING to hit the SUV.  There was no time for corrective steering or stopping.  I had no choice but to lock up the brakes and brace for impact.  

My compact car colliding with the SUV stood no chance.  My right front headlight area impacted the SUV's right rear fender.  My air bad deployed.  By the time I came to a stop, my previously east-bound car was now facing west.  Bits of plastic, glass, and metal littered the road.  My car was totaled.

There was a time in human history when the same type of scenario was playing out.  Mankind was on a collision course with death.  We all were on a road to life and happiness with God when at the last minute Adam and Eve fell; they sinned and brought death to us all.

Here's the difference.  At just the right time, Christ intervened, saving us from eternal death.  God gave His son, Jesus, who willingly gave His life to spare us the consequences of sins we had not yet committed.  At just the right time He died that we might have life.  He paid the price we could not pay.  He gave us the ability to avert disaster and live forever with Him.

Is this not a good reason to praise Him?  To worship Him?  Thank you Jesus for dying for me.  Thank you for giving me life.  Thank you for taking on the penalty for my sin.  Thank you for satisfying what God required as payment for sin.  Thank you.

I encourage you to read the rest of Romans 5 to gain a greater understanding of just exactly what He did for us.  Wow!