God's love is the greatest thing in the universe. The Bible speaks of this great, great love.
God loves his people so much and throughout history we continue to disobey him, run from him and his Word. Yet he continues to pursue and woo us with his love, mercy and grace.
That is such an incredible thought. The one God of the universe, Creator of all things. Creator of the plants, the animals, the stars, sun and moon LOVES US. He wants us to walk with him.
The Bible offers wisdom for relationships and life. Through narratives, historical records, letters, poetry and songs, the Bible offers guidance on how we can relate to ourselves, to others, and to God. Ultimately the Bible tells the story of God pursuing a relationship with people. It is a story of God working to restore a broken relationship between himself and humanity.
"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit" (1 Peter 3:18)
Christ's death is the basis for forgiveness to bring us into a proper relationship with God. His death is also the basis for forgiveness in our daily fellowship with God.
Back in the days when this was written, "list of sins" meant an itemized bond nailed to the prison door. It listed every crime for which the prisoner had been convicted. When the sentence was served or restitution paid, authorities removed the list and wrote, "Paid in full." This was used as proof that he could never be tried for those crimes again. The believer who trusts Christ's payment for sin can never be tried again. His sins have been "paid in full." He has full pardon from God.
Our relationship with God is secure because, through Christ, we are forgiven and accepted by God. However, God also desires for you to walk closely with Him and communicate with Him throughout each day.
"He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:10-12)
When we choose to sin, our relationship (our position as God's children) is not affected, but our fellowship with Him is. Sin keeps us all from experiencing God's love. Sin is more than cheating, lying, immoral behavior, etc. These actions are only the results of an attitude of sin.
A simple definition of sin is: doing what we want instead of what God wants -- both in actions and attitudes.
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
When God brings to your attention that something you have done is sin, confess it.
By turning back to God and away from your sin (repentance), you will experience His love and forgiveness.
Here are some profound things the Holy Bible says about God's love:
God's love is merciful.
"But God, who is rich in mercy because of His great love with which He loved us." - Eph. 2:4
God's love for us is beyond our human comprehension.
"May be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height. To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; and you may be filled with all the fullness of God." -Eph.3:18-19
God's love for us is supreme as proven by the supreme sacrifice of His Beloved Son.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." -John 3:16
God's love for us, as His children, emanates from His divine choice. He chooses to Love Us!
"Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved." - Eph.1:5-6.
Nothing can separate us from God's love.
"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created things, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Rom. 8:38-39
Right now or tonight before you go to bed:
Take some time now or before you go to bed tonight to apply the things you have learned about God's love and forgiveness. Make your confession list. Confess it to God, thank him since he has already forgiven you and ask for his guidance in the future to sustain you from sin
Try to spend 15 minutes or so each day alone with God in Bible reading and prayer. Here are some suggestions:
Read the story of the young man who ran away from his father and wasted his inheritance and how the father had a great feast in celebration of his long lost child that returned to him. The story was told by Jesus and is found in Luke 15:11-32.
Read Galatians 5:16-23. “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” Notice the differences that will take place as you allow God to work in your life.
As you become aware of an area of your life that displeases God, deal with it according to 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Then enjoy your fellowship with God.
God loves us! That should be the greatest thought that will ever cross our minds in this lifetime.
May the Lord Bless you,
Tracy
Continuing my 1000 gifts.....
Continuing my 1000 gifts.....
Sharing faith with others giving God the Glory |
Support from family, friends, and New Friends when you put your Trust in the Lord |
Peace in the storms of life |
Sunrises that take your breath away~ He made that~ What beauty! |
Seeing land that has been rarely touched by Man |
Storms that break up the humidity |
A new day! |
Brisk breeze in the middle of this heat wave |
Taking baby niece for a walk |
Picking flowers for grandma |
The little things that bring Joy |
Gods unending Love |
Technology that helps us keep in touch with those that we normally would not be able to talk to |
The Bible |
Sleeping in (till 10am) |
Morning Coffee |
Making supper for Mom |
Music that soothes your soul |
Excellent blog post. Gods love is so outstanding. I cant even fathom it somedays, just unbelievable.. Im so very humbled and greatful for it. He's just so good.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful list as well :)
Thanks so much for adding 'Encourage 365' to your side bar :) It means alot! You are so right. I need to sit down and instead of knowing my sins (and feeling bad for them), I need to write them down, tell God, get forgiven and move on. This was such a great reminder :)
ReplyDelete