This is love!

Do you have any memories as a child of doing something wrong, and that wrong thing was found out by your parents! You may have sheepishly hung your head and lowered your eyes because that bad behavior was discovered. But later in the day, just as if you never did anything wrong, when you came in sweaty from playing and you were really thirsty, your mom was quick to give you some Kool-aide. For dinner she fixed your favorite mac and cheese. At night, your parents read your favorite bedtime story, then hugged and kissed you good night! That is an experience of love and grace. Your parents loved you even when you didn’t deserve it.

In the midst of our bad behavior, in the midst of all of our sins, Jesus showed us the ultimate gift of love and grace; He suffered and died for us; “There is no greater love than to lay down ones’ life for his friends” (John 15:13). Jesus actually came looking for the wounded, for the imperfect. And we all qualify for that! He came with a desire in His heart for relationship with us, to bless us with abundant life here on this earth, to provide for our needs, to empower us with His strength; to give us the opportunity to be filled with His divine presence. We were the joy set before Him when He humbly came to this earth, lived, suffered and died for us. Jesus was actually suffering and dying for unholy people, people who messed up every day. Yet, He it was His desire to do this! In fact, the first chapter of Ephesians says, it was His pleasure to do this! Think about this; God’s pleasure was to send Jesus, knowing that He would suffer for sinners! He loved us that much! And in exchange, He filled us with Himself!

This same extravagant love, this same giving and blessing nature of God is for us and with us, every day, even when we mess up! Just like the experience you may have had as a child when you misbehaved, expect God to love you unconditionally in the midst of it. Expect that there is nothing you can do to stop His love or alter it in any way. His blessing toward you cannot be reversed; His blessings are not dependent upon your behavior. God’s blessing toward you is dependent upon Jesus’ behavior. His grace and love are independent of what you do. His love for you cannot be restrained. We know this because Jesus died for us when we were sinners!

Have you noticed in the Bible when it confirms the many ways in which we are blessed, that it doesn’t relate the blessing to you being perfect. Before Jesus came to make atonement for our sins, people were required to do this and that, to keep the law, in order to receive God’s blessing. Deuteronomy 28 describes that well. However, we live under grace, by the power of Jesus finished work of the cross. Our blessings come by grace. Our responsibility is to believe in Jesus, the Son of God, and what He accomplished for us. Through Jesus, because we believe in Him, our sinful nature has been crucified, is dead and now we have a new nature, His nature (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are now one with Jesus; we possess His Spirit as a gift of grace. This allows us to experience the magnificence of relationship with God Almighty. It is through relationship that we no longer strive to keep a law, but we are empowered to keep the law through Jesus Christ who gives us strength (Romans 8:1-4). We are actually filled with the fruit of His Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23)!

This doesn’t mean we live a perfect life without making mistakes. It does mean that we can expect the most amazing gift of love from our Father, even in the midst of our sin. The Father’s desire continues to be for our wellbeing. Romans 8:32 says, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely and graciously give us all things?” This relationship of love should bring us to expectation. What does expectation look like?

· Love equips us and empowers us, never leaving us helpless.

· Love provides for our needs.

· Love is our cheering section, our encourager.

· Love never holds back.

· For every challenge, love provides; it equips us for success.

· Love never tricks us or causes us to fail.

· Love provides a place of peace.

· Love wants us to be refreshed.

· Love provides a way through and guides our steps.

· Love wants us to feel secure and protected, it never pushes us away.

· Love never alters its promise.

· Love is steadfast and enduring, even in the worst circumstances.

· Love wants us to experience everything that it has provided!

Since God is love (1 John 4:8), I believe that we can say, Love wants us to settle in, to feel secure in love itself. Love desires that we come boldly to the Source of love, just as we are, completely confident that we are accepted no matter the situation, no matter the offense (Hebrews 4:16). We have always been God’s desire, the joy that was set before Him. That has not and will not ever change!