We have heard the phrase ‘God loves you’ so many times before. What does it really mean? How exactly does God love us? Read on as I try to simplify it in 5 simple points.
The mirror shows but a reflection
First, there is the sinful nature of man
There is something in us that always leans on that something which we know by law or conscience is forbidden. It is called the sinful nature. We genuinely want to work and earn our money honestly but that doesn’t mean we are exempt from greed. Something in us will always say that the forbidden is good and pleasing. How did it get there? The Bible tells us it happened the moment we disobeyed God by not trusting Him – sin entered into the hearts of men.
Then there was the law
Ever woke up and saw yourself in the mirror? You always look horrible in the morning right? It’s natural. You get frizzy hair, a morning star or two in your eyes, drooping eye bags and an oily complexion to boot! My point is, it’s natural to look bad every morning and the mirror shows you that.
God’s law is a mirror. It shows us that we are naturally sinful and that nothing we can do can take that away. Nothing we can do can save ourselves from the wages of sin which is the second death. We can try so hard to obey the law and be a better looking person in the mirror but we can’t. So what now?
God chose us
Why did God choose us? I have no idea. What I do know is that we are definitely unworthy of His love. What did we do to deserve His love? Nothing. Can you see the grace of it all? Love is a choice and God chose us. There is no proper explanation of it, but that’s what makes it real love. There is no explanation.
He died for us to bring us back to Him
The justice of God demands sacrifice. Blood signifies life. It is written “Without the shedding of blood, there can be no forgiveness.” Life must be taken in order for a life to be forgiven. It is God’s nature to be just but it is also His nature to be loving. God does not want us to be eternally separated from Him in hell so what did He do?
God sent His Son, who is God altogether, into the world to die for us. His blood justified our forgiveness before God and His body beaten and bruised for us satisfied God’s judgment of our sins against Him. There could have been no other sacrifice which would satisfy His anger against our sins than Himself.
So what now? – All He asks in return for His love is for us to accept the truth about it
Romans 10:9 says “That if you confess with our mouth ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
All God asks of us is that we accept the truth about what He has done for us. Accept that truth in your life, knowing it in your mind, feeling it with your heart – having it inside your very being then YOU WILL BE SAVED. Can it get any simpler than that?
God’s love is an invitation. If you do not accept it, it will not be yours. His love is salvation acted out through His Son, Jesus Christ. Accept Him into your life as your personal Lord and Savior and I assure you, as it is written “You will be saved.”
