Love of God

“...in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39)

There is no greater force in all of the cosmos than the love of God. It is a love that far transcends our finite understanding; it tells us everything we’ll ever need to know about our worth, identity and place in this world. The uncreated God of the universe – who holds all power and has no need at all – has chosen to set His affection on us. He has put His character and kindness on display by choosing a people for Himself who could never fully reciprocate His love because of our sin and rebellion.

This is the glory of the Gospel!

A perfect and holy God who would swoop down to the lowest pit to meet the sinner eye-to-eye and tell them, “I love you and that there is a way out!” He has made a way. Out of the disobedience that separates us from Him; out of the darkness and devastation that our brokenness creates; out of the isolation and shame that sin perpetuates; out of the wages of death and eternal condemnation that sin owes. There is a perfect way to peace and fellowship with God for all eternity, and that way is Christ Himself.

“...God shows His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

If you ever begin to wonder if you are lovable, look to the Son of God whose life, death, and resurrection paint a perfectly clear picture of God’s true feelings about us. If you are tempted to believe the lie that God’s love has to be earned, look to Jesus. If you find yourself in a pit so deep that you wonder how God could ever find you there, look to Jesus. If you have reached the heights of “success” in this life and still find yourself empty and unfulfilled, look to Jesus.

Look to the author and perfector of your faith who, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross…for you! Look to the One who forsook all of the riches of heaven for the rags of a broken world…for you! Look to the One who emptied Himself and took on the form of a servant, becoming obedient to the point of death…for you! Look to the one whose body was broken and marred to the point of no recognition; the One who was led like a lamb to the slaughter all for the sake of loving you!

When we look at the cross – really take it in – we see the ultimate expression of God’s heart.

O how great is the love of God

He paid our debt on that rugged cross

For all our days, we will sing our Savior’s praise

How great is the love of God

Charles Spurgeon once wrote,

“Oh you are not dealing with trifles when you are dealing with the love of God for you. It is not a spare corner of the heart of God that He gives to you, as you may give a little love to the criminals in jails, but the great inconceivably vast heart of God belongs as much to every Christian as if there were not another being in the world for God to love! Even as God loves His Only-begotten, so does He love each of His children.”

And that is a love from which you can NEVER be separated. Absolutely nothing in all of creation can rob you of God’s affection for you. No trouble or trial. No sorrow or suffering. No fear or failure. No height or depth. Nothing that has ever been or ever will be strong enough to remove you from Him.

So let your soul find rest in His love for you today. It is a love that doesn't shift or change with circumstances, times and seasons. It is a love that transcends a “feeling” and reaches in to transform every part of your soul. Rest in the security of His love that has been determined, fixed and sealed in the sacrifice of Christ Himself.

Let it fill you today; let it settle you today; let it cause you to take the deepest breath, knowing that no matter what comes or goes, you are loved by the God of the universe.