God's Love

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Our 4 year old son, Timmy, has slowly been learning to do things for himself. The other day he proudly told me that he had used soap when he washed his hands. I hugged him and said, “Good for you. I love you.” Then I looked at him and said, “Timmy, do you know that we love you not only when you do good things but even if you did bad things?” Timmy looked at me in disbelief. “How can that be?” he asked.

Right then I realized that my son, didn't understand the concept of unconditional love even though we are raising him an atmosphere of it (or we believe we are).

I went on to explain that Mommy and Daddy and Noah and Abby and, most importantly, God all love him all the time no matter what he does. He looked at me and remained quiet. I couldn't quite read his expression so I asked, “How does that make you feel?” “Happy” he replied with a smile.

The experience with Timmy has me thinking about how hard it is for us to accept unconditional love. We automatically think that love for us is based on what we do or how we look. That it must have something to merit it beyond our existence. But in the Scriptures, we come to understand.... and hopefully believe... that God's love is different. It's free, it's redemptive, it's plenteous, and it's everlasting.

Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”


1 John 4:9-10
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

Psalm 136:1
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
His love endures forever.”

Take a minute to reread the passages and let them sink in. This is the truth! You are loved by God!!
I hope that this reality is (or comes to be) the foundation of your day to day life!

In Christ,
Tracy

Note: Some people can read those passages and somehow exclude themselves. “They are too general.” “How do I know God loves me in particular? Uniquely?” If you are one of these people, I encourage you to wrestle this issue out – with God, with your Christian friends, with your mentor or pastor. Knowing and experiencing God's love is at the heart of a personal relationship with Him. It's worth your time to focus your energy on internalizing God's love for you.

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