How Precious Is God’s Love
I’m sure you have heard the definition and difference between God’s mercy and grace. Grace is the good that God gives us that we don’t deserve and mercy is not getting the punishment that we do deserve. This truly is an expression of God’s love for us. When you opened your eyes this morning, that was a gift that God gave you that you might invest it wisely. If you had a living faith with God and your eyes didn’t open, then you will awake in God’s presence which would be better by far. We can see God’s love as Jesus willingly went to the cross to take God’s wrath that we deserve because of our sin. We tend to focus on the cross and Jesus’ suffering. Interestingly in Hebrews 12:2, we read, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Even though He suffered, even though He asked the Father if the cross could be avoided, God’s word tells us that ‘for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross’. How can there be joy in suffering. Jesus knew the hope that would be ours after his death and resurrection. That is an amazing expression of love, finding joy by laying down His life for us. I read a quote recently, “The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.” (C.S.Lewis) We don’t come before Jesus as a finished product, but we are under construction. I’m not saying we have to be a completed “project” in order be saved. We are told that if we a genuine faith, no matter how great or small, that we have that assurance. Each day that we walk with God, we are being molded, shaped, disciplined, etc. Praise God that He is able to make us into a new creation! It is that knowledge that “God will make us good” that keeps me going, for I know I cannot by my own doing get to where God wants me to be. Knowing what Jesus has done for us, we are called to love others and to joyfully give of ourselves so that they too might know Jesus. Can you see God's changes in you that are a result of your faith in Christ? Are we willing to suffer for Christ and for the Gospel? Do we find joy in seeing one that is lost, find life in Christ? Lord, Continue to work on me and direct my ways. Help me to find joy in testifying to others. Amen