Stepping Stones: What’s Love Got to Do With It? Everything!

Transformational Thought

A rather unnecessary and heated debate came about during a Bible study the other day. The question that created some division in the group was whether or not we had to “earn” God’s love.

In our world system, and in every relationship we are involved in, it is so hard to comprehend truly unconditional and perfect love. First, it doesn’t exist, and second, we are self-centered and either think we need to do something to “earn” it, or the flip side, we are never worthy enough to receive it. As parents, we love almost unconditionally (especially if we have good kids), but never even close to perfectly … but it is conditional, because the condition is, they are our kids.

God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are the only ones who can give unconditional and perfect love. It still really is humbling … brings actual tears to my eyes (not much does) … knowing the King of the universe loved me enough to actually give up His throne, suffer, be humiliated, limit His power, be tortured and mocked, and not only die for me, but be separated from His Father for the first time ever. All for me … and I didn’t do anything to “earn” it. Actually, I sinned a lot to “unearn” it. Romans 8:39 ended the debate.

Today, and always, when you are feeling unloved, devalued, unappreciated, forgotten, lonely, or isolated, remember there is nothing you can do or fail to do that would separate God’s love from you. Don’t let Satan’s lies or your own flesh or baggage get in the way of His truth. Stop walking around afraid that you will screw up and lose His love. Live in the freedom of God’s forgiveness and love … and show your gratitude … today and everyday. Notice how these truths, when repeated over and over, will start to alter the lenses you use to see your everyday life.

Prayer
Dear Loving Father, At times, actually all the time, I feel so unworthy of Your love and grace. I do so little in Your name. I am so thankful for the truth of Your Word. What a comfort to know that You will let nothing separate me from Your love, the love that You revealed through Your Son Jesus Christ. I ask that You fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may, step by step, achieve the “mind of Christ.” This is my desire and my goal. Help me understand, and then help others to understand that the heavy lifting has been done for us … there is nothing we can do or fail to do that will turn You away from us. Help me this day, Lord, remember the simple path to everlasting life: Believe>Receive>Become. I pray this in the name of love personified, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!

The Truth
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:35-39

as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:12

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:3-7