“We think and talk and act like the only way God can love us is through Jesus.”

A thought by Steven Furtick, (2016-03-01) from his book, (UN)Qualified: How God Uses Broken People to Do Big Things (p. 54). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title of the book to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

Do you feel and act like that is true? Steven says, “We think, Good thing Jesus died for me, because otherwise there’s no way God could tolerate me. Like most erroneous thinking, there is a kernel of truth in this belief. God is perfectly holy. Clearly we are not. We were sinners who deserved eternal separation from God. Our only hope is the righteousness that Jesus gives us through the Cross. That’s the foundation of Christianity. So from a legal, judicial viewpoint, when God looks at us, he sees Jesus, and that is our saving grace.”

But then Steven goes on, “But from a relational viewpoint, God doesn’t merely tolerate us. He loves us, pursues us, and embraces us.” Oh I love that.

But we don’t live like that is true. Steven says, “And maybe if we can stop smoking, stop cussing, stop yelling at the kids, stop eating ice cream after 9: 00 p.m., and actually make something of ourselves, God will be able to embrace us for who we are. He puts up with us for now. He’ll love us later. And maybe when we reach our own goals— that ideal weight, that income level, that standard— we’ll be able to love ourselves too.”

But then Steven says, “I can’t begin to tell you how flawed and damaging that perspective is. The Bible teaches the exact opposite. God loved us when we couldn’t have cared less about him. How much more certain is his love for us now that we actually want to know him and follow him?”

He loves us even in our messiness but also because of our love of Him we don’t want to stay there.

Steven quotes Richard Rohr who said, “Most of us were taught that God would love us if and when we change. In fact, God loves you so that you can change. What empowers change, what makes you desirous of change, is the experience of love. It is that inherent experience of love that becomes the engine of change.”

So is God’s love making a difference in your life?

Comments

“We believe it’s important to derive value from everything in our lives.”

A thought by Jon Tyson from his book, The Burden Is Light: Liberating Your Life from the Tyranny of Performance and Success (p. 118). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) But is that all that is important? Jon says, “We want to realize an immediate return from whatever we invest in. I am prone to this way of thinking in so many areas of my life. ‘I paid a lot for that meal, yet the portions were not that big.’ ‘I invested two hours in that movie, and it was just okay.’ ‘I went to church, but the sermon wasn’t that profound.’ We believe it’s important to derive value from everything in our lives. But beauty doesn’t fit within that framework. When Mary anointed Jesus with oil, there was an immediate outcry against her extravagant generosity. ‘It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.’ (Mark 14:5) One gospel depicts the disciples crying, ‘Why this waste?...

"Lie 2: The more you worry about it, the better your odds of avoiding it."

A thought by Louie Giglio in his book, Winning the War on Worry (p. 5). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.) Here is another lie that the Enemy uses with us. And Louie says, "This is a tricky lie. Yes, we often have cause for concern and preparation. But the Enemy wants you to believe that if you worry or fret over a certain outcome long enough, you can keep something bad from happening." But this is so important to realize. He says, "The reality is worrying has never once prevented something negative from happening. Planning might. Prayer has. But worry never will." He continues, "The Enemy tells you that by worrying about a situation (or every situation) you can make your tomorrow better. Really, worry just robs you of today. Jesus implored us: 'I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body mor...

“Hurry and love are incompatible.”

A thought by John Mark Comer from his book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry (p. 23). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Wow, pretty strong thought isn’t it? John says, “All my worst moments as a father, a husband, and a pastor, even as a human being, are when I’m in a hurry—late for an appointment, behind on my unrealistic to-do list, trying to cram too much into my day. I ooze anger, tension, a critical nagging—the antitheses of love. If you don’t believe me, next time you’re trying to get your type B wife and three young, easily distracted children out of the house and you’re running late (a subject on which I have a wealth of experience), just pay attention to how you relate to them. Does it look and feel like love? Or is it far more in the vein of agitation, anger, a biting comment, a rough glare? Hurry and love are oil and water: they simply do not mix.” He goes on, “Hence, in the apostle P...

Just Continue That Thought...

Search This Blog