The idea of being loved is deeply appealing! All of us want to be loved. Yet if we’re honest we know very well that we are at times not very loveable. That’s what makes the way the Lord Jesus loves us all the more amazing. As we saw the apostle Paul describe it on Sunday morning from Galatians
“The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Gal 2:20)
As sinners in rebellion against the King of Kings we deserve nothing but condemnation. Even when we ‘try’ to endear ourselves to God by seeking to keep the Old Testament Law, we find ourselves sinning by Pharisaically seeking to ‘earn’ His love.
The fact is that there is NOTHING we can do that either makes us good enough, nor that will make up for our sinfulness. The good news is that Jesus has done it all – and loved us to death on the cross.
In fact, the apostle John explains that love may be defined by the love that God has for us in Christ:
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)
Whatever our view or understanding of our lives and situation. Whatever fears, uncertainties or excitement lies before us. If we are Christians we are personally, sacrificially and eternally loved!
Spencer Shaw