Note 15 at Rom. 5:8: This verse is commonly quoted to illustrate the unconditional love that God has towards sinners. While that is certainly true and this verse does clearly teach that, this is not the point that Paul is making. In context, Paul is talking to Christians about the grace of God. He is making a comparison and verses 9-10 are the point of his comparison. He is using this truth in verse 8 about God commending His love towards us while we were still sinners as a step to another truth.

Not viewing this verse in context has caused many people to accept salvation by grace but then come back under the deception that they have to live good enough for God to use them as a Christian. While realizing one truth, they completely missed the whole point of what Paul was saying. These verses, taken in context, conclusively prove that we begin and continue our walk with God through faith in His grace (Col. 2:6).