Yesterday, after church, a couple friends and I got into a “discussion”. OK, it was an argument, with raised voices, angry words, and hurt feelings. Our subject? The love of God or more specifically whether it applies to everybody.
Pretty pathetic, right? Here we’d just been in church, where I’d preached about the love of God, and next thing you know we’re arguing about that very subject. Ashamed doesn’t even cover how I felt after we got past the yelling stage.
Thankfully, my friends truly do have the love of God in their hearts. They graciously accepted my apology and forgave me for my behavior and poorly chosen words. However, it still put a damper on what should have been a pleasant Sabbath afternoon.
Being human is really a pain sometimes! Just when I think I’ve got it right, I go and blow it like I did yesterday. Amazingly enough, in spite of this, God doesn’t give up on me. Instead, He’s right there, whispering in my ear, drawing me back from the brink, reminding me of His love, and inviting me back into His arms.
Even when I’m sure I’ve gone too far this time, God reminds me of His promise that, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 NIV). Even if my “sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18).
There is nothing I can do that will make God love me less. Which I guess answers the question my friends and I were arguing about in the first place, whether God loves everyone equally or if some are too sinful for Him to love. The truth is we are all too sinful to deserve His love, yet He loves us anyway. In fact, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).
This morning, if you feel you’ve gone too far for God to love, let me tell you from experience, you aren’t even close. He loves you just the way you are and if you confess your sin, He will always forgive you.
But don’t wait till you’re good enough for Him to love, because that day will never come. Just come to Him right now and give Him your life. You don’t need to be afraid that He’ll reject you, because He promises, “whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” (John 6:37)
Come to Jesus today, my friend, just as you are. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done or who you are, because one thing will never, ever change – God loves you!