“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39
Let’s face it, there are times when all of us have taken a moment to look at our own lives and wondered; “How could God love me?” With all of the screw ups, mistakes, bad choices and problems I have had in my life, I have found myself wondering the same thing. But you see the scriptures are very clear that God’s love is immutable. This means that it is never changing, constant and ageless. We are created in the very love that is present and available to us throughout our life. Through our own guilt we convince ourselves that this love is conditional and only available to those who live perfect lives.
Well, I’m here to tell you today, that if that were the case not a single person would go to heaven. For outside of Jesus Christ there is none that are perfect – no not even a single one through all of time. Moses, Abraham, King David, Elijah, Daniel, Isaiah, John the Baptist, John, Peter, Mark, Matthew, Paul the apostle, any of the Popes, Martin Luther, Mother Teresa, Billy Graham, you nor I have the capacity or ability to live within the perfection that is required for access to heaven. Yet, despite our transgressions, our mistakes and our humanity; Jesus Christ came to provide a path of redemption and forgiveness that we might appear sinless and blameless before the Lord one day. In 1 Timothy 1:15-16, Paul tells us, “…Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst…” This comes from the man that wrote more books of the bible than any other author (traditionally believed to be 13 books, followed by Moses who wrote 6 books). Paul (Saul of Tarsus) was known to be a highly educated man in the Jewish leadership community and had even oversaw the execution of many in the early Christian church. He came to the realization that the one He was seeking to abolish, was actually pursuing Him to bring him back to the original intent of the Father in Heaven.
This intent, from the original creation, was to bring glory and return love to the Father. This was lost in the Garden of Eden, but restored through God’s Son – Jesus Christ. To accept that God’s love is immutable we must come to the understanding that God sent Jesus Christ as the Savior for ALL mankind. For if He was sent only to redeem some, than the sacrifice and grace that is offered by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ has limitations and is thereby insufficient to fulfill the Father’s intent. The sacrifice made on the cross is sufficient for the redemption of all mankind’s sins. This includes the worst of the worst, the most unimaginable sinful act can be forgiven and redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Why does God love us so much? Because He knows all things (omniscient) and has prepared a place for those who are unwilling to acknowledge His sovereignty and plan of salvation. He created Hell for Satan and His angels, but clearly states in Matthew 25:41 and Revelations 20:15. He also knows that those who refuse His grace and redemption will also be cast into the Lake of Fire. God created man in His image and because He loves us, He wants only that we not be deceived by the world and confused by Satan’s deceptions on this earth. Our actions, our mistakes, our transgressions and unrighteousness cannot separate us from this love. No, the only thing that can separate us is our refusal of the grace and love He has offered through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Well, I’m here to tell you today, that if that were the case not a single person would go to heaven. For outside of Jesus Christ there is none that are perfect – no not even a single one through all of time. Moses, Abraham, King David, Elijah, Daniel, Isaiah, John the Baptist, John, Peter, Mark, Matthew, Paul the apostle, any of the Popes, Martin Luther, Mother Teresa, Billy Graham, you nor I have the capacity or ability to live within the perfection that is required for access to heaven. Yet, despite our transgressions, our mistakes and our humanity; Jesus Christ came to provide a path of redemption and forgiveness that we might appear sinless and blameless before the Lord one day. In 1 Timothy 1:15-16, Paul tells us, “…Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst…” This comes from the man that wrote more books of the bible than any other author (traditionally believed to be 13 books, followed by Moses who wrote 6 books). Paul (Saul of Tarsus) was known to be a highly educated man in the Jewish leadership community and had even oversaw the execution of many in the early Christian church. He came to the realization that the one He was seeking to abolish, was actually pursuing Him to bring him back to the original intent of the Father in Heaven.
This intent, from the original creation, was to bring glory and return love to the Father. This was lost in the Garden of Eden, but restored through God’s Son – Jesus Christ. To accept that God’s love is immutable we must come to the understanding that God sent Jesus Christ as the Savior for ALL mankind. For if He was sent only to redeem some, than the sacrifice and grace that is offered by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ has limitations and is thereby insufficient to fulfill the Father’s intent. The sacrifice made on the cross is sufficient for the redemption of all mankind’s sins. This includes the worst of the worst, the most unimaginable sinful act can be forgiven and redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Why does God love us so much? Because He knows all things (omniscient) and has prepared a place for those who are unwilling to acknowledge His sovereignty and plan of salvation. He created Hell for Satan and His angels, but clearly states in Matthew 25:41 and Revelations 20:15. He also knows that those who refuse His grace and redemption will also be cast into the Lake of Fire. God created man in His image and because He loves us, He wants only that we not be deceived by the world and confused by Satan’s deceptions on this earth. Our actions, our mistakes, our transgressions and unrighteousness cannot separate us from this love. No, the only thing that can separate us is our refusal of the grace and love He has offered through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Your name is above all things known. You sit upon your throne and are worthy of all glory and honor. We come before You in awe and wonder as we try to take in the depth of Your love for us. We struggle with our own preconceived limitations on how to love and wrestle with comprehending Your unconditional grace and mercy. Help shape us into the image of Your Son, and help us to live out the example You have given through His life and accept Your salvation through His death and resurrection. We humbly lay our sins and transgressions at the foot of the cross and accept Your forgiveness, mercy and love even though we don’t deserve it. In Your name we pray – Amen.
Heavenly Father,
Your name is above all things known. You sit upon your throne and are worthy of all glory and honor. We come before You in awe and wonder as we try to take in the depth of Your love for us. We struggle with our own preconceived limitations on how to love and wrestle with comprehending Your unconditional grace and mercy. Help shape us into the image of Your Son, and help us to live out the example You have given through His life and accept Your salvation through His death and resurrection. We humbly lay our sins and transgressions at the foot of the cross and accept Your forgiveness, mercy and love even though we don’t deserve it. In Your name we pray – Amen.
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