Supernatural love

Romans 5:7-8 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. In todays verses, we are presented a contrast between natural love and supernatural love. The first case Paul mentioned is the case of a man being willing to give up his life for a man he views to be righteous. There’s nothing about a righteous man that compels another to sacrifice his life for him. In the second case, a man who is good, who has sacrificed himself for the good of others, might move another to die for him out of honor and great appreciation. Such love is natural. But God’s love stands apart from natural love. He demonstrated His love by giving His Son to die for us while we were still sinners. From God’s perspective we weren’t righteous, and we weren’t good. This demonstration of love helps us define it in a supernatural way: the sustained direction of the will toward the highest good of another no matter what the cost. The love isn’t determined by the actions or attitudes of the objects of love, but by the character and will of the lover. We can be encouraged today from these verses to love like God loves us—to choose to love for the highest good of others, no matter what the cost—By this is our Father glorified. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com