Key Bible Verse: But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). Bonus Reading: Romans 5:6-11

During the Revolutionary War, Daily Bread relates, preacher Peter Miller lived near a fellow who hated him intensely and ridiculed his followers. One day the unbeliever was found guilty of treason and sentenced to death. Hearing about this, Peter Miller set out on foot to intercede for the man's life before George Washington. The general listened to the minister's plea, but told him he didn't feel he should pardon his friend.

"My friend! He's not my friend," answered Miller. "In fact he's my worst enemy!"

"What?" said Washington. "You've walked 60 miles to save the life of your enemy? That, in my judgment, puts the matter in a different light. I'll grant your request."

With pardon in hand, Miller hastened to where his neighbor was to be executed and arrived just as the prisoner was walking to the scaffold. When the traitor saw Miller, he exclaimed, "Old Peter Miller has come to have his revenge by watching me hang!" But he was astonished as he watched the minister produce the pardon that spared his life.

This is just a shadow of what Christ did; Christ not only obtained His enemies' pardons, but died to accomplish that.

—R. Kent Hughes in Romans, Righteousness from Heaven

My Response: I'll thank Christ for obtaining my pardon while I was a traitor.

Thought to Apply: God loves His enemies—that is the glory of His love, as every follower of Jesus knows.—DIETRICH BONHOEFFER (German pastor hanged by Hitler)

Adapted from Romans: Righteousness from Heaven (Crossway, 1991) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

I admit, Lord, that I deserve Your wrath. Thank you for providing a way for me to be made right with You through faith in Your Son.

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