Loving to Shine
Read: 1 John 3:1-3
Over 3000 years ago, David asked, “What is man that God is mindful of him, and the son of man that you visit him?” So, what is it that motivates God to bless, provide and protect us? The answer is His incredible, awesome love.
The scripture doesn’t say that God is loving, but rather that He is love. Romans 5:8 tells us that God demonstrates His love for us, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. So, He didn’t die for us while we were sitting in the church pew in our fancy clothes with the Bible open on our laps. Instead it was while we were living wild and crazy lives.
Romans 8:35-39 asks who shall separate us from the love of Christ? It’s mysterious that He uses the word “who” in this passage, because it’s those “whos” will come along in your life to try and separate you from the faith of God. Shall tribulation, stress, persecution, famine, danger or peril separate you form the Lord? The Bible says absolutely not. In all of these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us!
If you want to know how far Christ will go, look at His arms stretched out on the cross on Calvary. God will follow you if you leave the Father’s house. He’ll follow you to another country, to the pig’s pen, and until you come to your right mind. That is the length that God will go for every one of us.
To what depth will God go? Saul of Tarsus had one motive in mind; to destroy the church of Jesus Christ. He took the bloody clothes of Stephen after being martyred, and threatened the lives of Christians, promising to wipe them out. But as Saul of Tarsus was on his way to Damascus, his life was suddenly changed. He was then transformed into Paul, the Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. God will do this for the chief of sinners!
How wide will God go? For God so loved the world! How far will He go? He will go to the farthest places to find you. How deep will He go? God will go to the deepest depths, no matter the sin you’re in. Therefore, know that God will go as high and as low, as far and as wide as He needs to go to save one of His own.
Let these truths lead you to pray for your loved ones who have strayed. Let them lead you in your own repentance if you’ve become complacent or lazy in your walk with Him. Knowing that God will go to the deepest valley with His children, and that He’s with them on the highest mountain is comforting beyond anything the world can give!
We’re praying for you and we love y’all! We’re saving you a seat at Community Family Church!
Pastor Tom
