One of the world's favorite types of stories is a good love story. Perhaps people like the idea of love mesmerizing their hearts; indeed, it is a powerful emotion. One of the most common elements in the love stories of Scripture is the fact that there is a strong attraction between the parties involved based on appearance and character. For example, the Genesis narrator notes that Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance (Gen. 29:17b). Boaz admired Ruth's virtue: "For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich" (Ruth 3:10). Solomon's wife enchanted him: "Behold, you are fair, my love!" (Song 4:1a). These three examples all share the idea of beauty and attraction, whether of appearance or character. Yet Paul recounts another love story from Scripture here in this week’s portion of Romans 5. The common element of beauty is missing, which makes the love story very different. It is more like the prophet Hosea and his adulterous wife, Gomer. Paul now shows exactly how God has poured out His love in Christ in Romans 5:6-11.

Worship Set

• Your Grace is Enough

• Nothing But the Blood

• Psalm 90

• God Really Loves Us

• How Deep the Father's Love For Us