What does it mean 'while we were yet sinners Christ died for us'?

Ted asks about what the Romans 5:8 verse means. Rod talks about the effect that the law has on sinners and what it makes sinners do, and that, though sinners may be tempted to think the law enables them to follow it, it actually has an opposite effect, and where sinners are to go for assurance of salvation and consolation, even in light of our ongoing sin.