Love Wins!
I remember hearing songs about love throughout the 70’s when I was growing up. The love in the songs was often about physical love. I had heard about God’s Love and the fact that He was the Creator of Love. I always thought that there were “strings attached” to God’s Love. I guess because we humans actually love others IF they behave like we want them too.
I also remember thinking that I had to “earn” God’s Love and His Favor. I had to be good enough. I had to go to church. I had to pray the right prayers. I had to love everyone. I had to be baptized in the water. This is a very shortened version of the list – it was a long and exhausting list. A it later in my life, I was introduced to the book of Romans that was written by the Apostle Paul. His explanation of God’s Love is profoundly different than list keeping and rule following. I am still processing this amazing love and indescribable grace many years later. Check this out…
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. (Romans 8:35, 37-38 NLT)
I think it’s important to note that when I surrendered my life to Christ, all my troubles didn’t disappear. My perspective on my troubles changed dramatically. This life is so temporary. This life is preparatory for eternal life. When Jesus came, He broadened my perspective on this life and how significant eternal life is.
Because Love Wins, I can love people who don’t love me.
Because Love Wins, I can be kind to people who are unkind to me.
Because Love Wins, I can forgive others who hurt me.
Please don’t misunderstand, this doesn’t mean that I’m a doormat when people can harm me and I’m not smart enough to avoid that. It simply means that I give up my right to strike back or retaliate when I’m hurt.
No worries or fears. God’s love is real and it’s forever. He is not flippant with His Love – He is relentless with His love. He created this earth and He created eternal life for those who trust in Him.
Pressing On!
Dwayne