In part 3 of our series on the love of God, we will look at how God’s love in action impacts all of our lives.
We have friends who are part of our House Church group. They have a little dog named Tuffy who is around 2+ years old. Tuffy is a Shih Tzu and full of energy.
When we visit our friend’s home, Tuffy usually jumps up on our legs or climbs up where we are sitting to let us know he is there and needs our attention. He runs around in circles, pounces on the sofa or chair and has a challenging time sitting still.
One day while visiting, Tuffy relieved himself on the floor. Of course, our friends were embarrassed, but cleaned up the mess and put him outside to finish his business. Later, Tuffy was back in the house, and being loved and petted by his owners like nothing had happened.
Some time after this I heard the Lord say, “I love you more than they love Tuffy.” Of course, I knew that intellectually, but He was driving a point home. He did not die on the cross for animals. He died for us.
If Tuffy’s owners loved him even after he made a mess on their clean floor, how much more does the Father and Lord Jesus Christ love us, even after we have made messes?
Obviously, we cannot continue to deliberately choose to walk in sin and disobedience and expect God to wink (Acts 17:30). There are often painful consequences for our messes… but even then, God still loves us and helps us to clean up our lives, so we can turn around and do His will. He does not quit loving us every time we make a mistake or sin.
Although the Father will not tolerate sin in our lives, He does not diminish His great love for us. He is committed to walk with us, live in us, fellowship with us now and throughout eternity.
He has gone to great extents to reconcile us to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:18). He sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay the price for our sinful mess, so we could become heirs of God and kings and priests in His family. How amazing is His love for us!
Here is how the Bible describes that love in action.
“...Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood….” Revelation 1:5
Yes, He loved us enough to sacrifice His own life and blood to cleanse us from our sins and bring us to God. You will not find that type of love anywhere apart from your Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hopefully, these past few blogs on the love of God have given you much to meditate upon and consider. His love for you will never dissipate. He loves you period!
Now this does not negate that fact that God wants us to be holy, and walk in love, honesty, generosity, kindness, and mercy. He does… but His love for us is still the same. Remember, we love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).
I encourage you to reflect upon the scripture passages we’ve highlighted as a reminder of God’s immeasurable love for you. Knowing this will keep you settled and grounded in the midst of life’s difficulties, because you understand nothing can separate you from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).
Until next time, may God our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ richly bless and keep you.
James Brown
CST 04/07/2024