What’s Love Got To Do With It?

Do you have someone in your life – a spouse, sibling, or perhaps a child who have offended you somehow or perhaps made poor life choices that have set their feet on a path of heartache and trouble?  I think especially as a parent, my heart has broken for my children when they made poor life choices, but that did not change the love I had for them. Even though the relationship might have been fractured – my love never wavered. The same is true with God hard as that might be to grasp.  For children perhaps one of the greatest desires of the heart is to know that they are accepted and loved by their parents.  Denial of that acceptance and love can create an unmet need that people will try to satisfy with many things, harmful as they might be, but embrace them they will.  Like hugging a porcupine – it hurts them but they do it anyway. Well – there is good news – the truth is that God wants a relationship with us. This is the second spiritual reality in Experiencing God.

REALITY 2. GOD PURSUES A CONTINUING LOVE RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU THAT IS REAL AND PERSONAL.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” – John 3:16-17

John 3:16 is quoted so often, one might think there are no other verses in the Bible for the world to hear. There is a saying, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” In this case, that verse loses its significance because of its use.  The truth is – it is the truth.  God does love us and wanted to restore our relationship with Him to the extent that He sent Jesus to be the “way, the truth and the life”, the eternal restorer to the Creator God.  What the world needs to see more than that verse are the changed lives that area a reflection of that truth.


It is so easy to miss the fact that it is not just so we will be saved from an eternity in hell, but we are saved to a loving relationship with our Father in heaven, starting here on earth.

“But while he (the prodigal son) was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. ‘The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate” — Luke 15:20-24

Can you sense the joy the Father had on the return of his wayward child?  Undeserved restoration and celebration. Oh what a day. The same is true for us.  Jesus shared that parable because it is a picture of God’s great love for us. Not only that we are again in the household of God, but that we are established in full relationship with the Father. Our Father has been looking for our return and rejoices when He sees us coming from far off.  He rejoices at our return. But is not just a one-time event – it is for eternity. God wants the relationship to flourish. Loving others through us as we are conformed into the image and likeness of Jesus.  I suppose the question we all must answer is … “Do we?” Oh, let it be yes!

Tomorrow - Reality Three.

“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” – Jude 24-25

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone