God's love

We sometimes have a difficult time understanding God's love for us.  Mainly because we connect it with and equate it with our own human understanding of God.

We think that love is a feeling. 

An emotion.  We are always searching for that feeling.  We talk about "falling in love" and "falling out of love" which basically means we either feel emotion or we don't feel emotion toward someone.

Or, we can think that love is uncontrollable. 

"I just can't help myself if I fall in love".

But love is most certainly more than a feeling - and it is controllable - in other words, it is a choice.  I can choose to love or not.

Do you know that daily, God chooses to love you? 

Did you know that God is never in a bad mood?

Did you know that God never has a "bad hair day"?

Did you know that God is not moody?

God's love for us is constant, unconditional, sacrificial.

Paul tells us in Romans 5:6-8 (which we will study this evening), "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless (we can't change our basic nature on our own), Christ died for the ungodly (not just the godly) (those who had no desire to change).  Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:   While we were still sinners (or those who miss the mark - in other words, those who just don't get it), Christ died for us."

Powerful words.

Two questions:

1.  Who would you die for?
2.  Who would die for you?

Our human love has its limits, but thankfully, the love of God does not!

Karl Barth, the great German theologian, was asked one time the question, "What is Thermos profound thought that you know, Dr. Barth?"

He answered, "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so."

Now then, a challenge - let's make this practical.

Let God's love prompt you to love Jesus more.

Let God's love change your life.

Let God's love in you propel you to demonstrate His sacrificial love for others.

Who is God calling you to love, today?

Who is God bringing to your mind right now?

Don't wait for that person to "clean up their act" or until "forgiveness is asked for."

God didn't wait for you to worship him before He took the first step.

Jesus said, "Love others, as I have loved you."

Just some thoughts for a Wednesday.