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1999-01-29 - It's All So Simple
God makes things simple. We complicate them.
John 3:16 (NNAS) For God so loved the world, that He gave
His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but
have eternal life.
It's a simple formula:
Jesus' death and resurrection + our faith = our salvation.
But we try to add to it. We try to make it "Jesus' death and resurrection
+ our faith + being at church every time the door is open." Or "Jesus' death
and resurrection + our faith + using a certain version of the Bible. But
it's all based on simple grace:
Eph 2:8-9 (NNAS) For by grace you have been saved through
faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result
of works, so that no one may boast.
We can do nothing to earn God's salvation or His love. And sometimes I wonder
if that's why we have trouble believing it is so simple; perhaps we have
trouble believing that love can be given so freely, generously and
unconditionally. I hear from people sometimes that they are worried about
losing their salvation or God's love. I think we humans tend too often, to
put conditions on love for each other, and we expect God to also. Our parents
may seem to take away their love if we don't follow the paths they want us
to. Our friends at times seem to withdraw their love if we do something that
displeases them. Sometimes this is just a matter of our perception; we equate
love with approval. But we flawed humans do not love as we should. But God
does. God's love is perfect. God IS Love.
1 John 4:8 (NNAS) The one who does not love does not know
God, for God is love.
Yes, God does expect good works from us, church attendance (for our own good)
etc. But those are side effects -- not conditions -- of salvation
and His love. And of course, if we take away our love from someone because
of something they do or don't do, that isn't real love anyway.
But God loves us unconditionally. There is nothing we can do or say to make
Him love us any less. He will not condone our sin. He will discipline us
as a loving Father should. But never for one second will His love decrease
for us.
One of the best examples of this unconditional love is Jesus' love for those
who crucified Him.
Luke 23:33-34 (NNAS) When they came to the place called
The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and
the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they
do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots, dividing up His garments
among themselves.
Ironically, if we actually grasp this unconditional love for us, it will
not make us complacent - those good works will naturally follow, from the
gratitude welling up in us. We will WANT to show Him appreciation, and our
love for Him. But He does not intend for us to perform them to earn His love.
If we think about it logically, we can perhaps understand it more readily.
Think about a young child. Don't you think God cherishes that child, even
though he can do nothing for God yet? But one thing that normally is easy
for a child, is the acceptance of love. I believe this is one reason Jesus
says we are to be childlike. Young children can accept things at face value;
they keep things simple.
Dear Lord, please help us to take to heart Your
unconditional love for us, and may that love spur us on to service for You
and our fellow man. In Jesus' name amen.
: ) Jan
cfdevcfpray@yahoo.com
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