Homepage Message: August 2009
The next time you stand in front of a mirror, look at yourself and ask, “Who am I?” What is your identity based upon? Your occupation, financial portfolio, your spouse, where you live, what you drive, maybe your education or ethnic heritage? What we tell ourselves influences our behavior.
What do you think others think of you? What would they say if someone asked about you? More importantly what does God think of you? Is he pleased or disappointed, tolerant or angry?
I may not know who you are or anything about you, but I do know what the God of all creation thinks. Read the following verses from His love letter to you:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him will not parish but have eternal life.” —John 3:16
“See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God.” —I John 3:1
Please notice God’s love is not conditional upon our performance, or upon any other standard our society places upon us. Our love and acceptance of one another is usually based upon our performance, contributions or appearance. It’s an “I love you because ... I love you when ... I love you if ...” There is always a string attached which implies love can and will be withdrawn if you don’t live up to my expectations. This can result in fear and uncertainty in relationships.
This is not to say it is evil to save money or have valuable assets. But it is wrong and evil to trust in earthly tresures. Better to have treasures in heaven and a home in heaven than to have earthly tresures and no home for all eternity.
Not with God! His love is constant, unconditional, and never in doubt. Will God ever stop loving you? No! He chooses to love you just as you are and invites you to love Him in return with all your heart.
When a man and woman fall in love they ask to be married. In other words, they want the other to become one with them. To promise their love to each other, to serve and defend each other for life, no strings attached.
That’s what God desires, to invite Him into your life to be one with him in love, service and defense. The greatest thing about this is it results in forgiveness of your sin and guilt, and removes you from the rule of darkness, Satan and death into the light, life and God’s eternal presence. This is not for as long as we live, but forever.
Now look into the mirror and say, I am created in God’s image and He loves me unconditionally and sacrificially. His love for me is not earned but declared. Therefore, I will confess that I am a sinner in need of God’s forgiving love and ask Jesus to come into my life and be my Savior and Lord.