Tag: unconditional love

The Unlovable

Today’s reading is Luke 15 where Jesus tells 3 parables about loving the undeserving and the lost. He tells these stories after hearing the Pharisees and scribes grumble about spending time with “sinners.” These 3 stories are probably familiar to most of us: the parable of the lost sheep leaving the 99 for 1, the parable of the lost coin where the woman searches her house for 1 even though she has 9 others, and finally the story of the prodigal son coming home and asking for forgiveness after leaving to live a reckless life.

Jesus specifically ends the story of the lost sheep by saying in Luke 7:15, “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Does this mean God loves those who lead a reckless life more than those who try to lead a Godly life? No. And we are all sinners in need of a Savior in Jesus. He’s just underscoring that God is different than us and our human nature. Think about the people who are your good friends and who you love. Most of them are probably people who are “lovable.” They have similar interests to you, they care about you and what’s going on in your life, and they probably love you back. Again, Jesus is helping those who think they are way past the point of anyone ever being able to love them or forgive them know God will forgive them if they repent, and different than the rest of the world, He still loves them unconditionally before they even come back to Him.

I love the part in the prodigal son parable in Luke 15:20 where it says, “…But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion and embraced him and kissed him.”  His father was looking for him just waiting for him to come back. Our Father in Heaven is looking and waiting for us to come back. And the other fascinating thing about this verse, the father feels compassion, embraces his son, and kisses him BEFORE the son says he’s sorry and asks for forgiveness.

Are you reading this and feel your life is too far gone to go back to God or feel there is something you’ve done that can’t be forgiven? I pray that in reading this you’ll realize you’re never too far gone for God.

And for all of us Christ followers, we are called to be more like Jesus (Ephesians 5:1-2). Who can you love this week that is unlovable? Yes, it could be someone you meet that has fallen on hard times or made some bad decisions. But don’t overlook that it also might be someone that is really close to you..a spouse, parent, son or daughter, aunt or uncle, cousin, or friend who’s hurt you or made bad decisions. Pray on it. Ask God to reveal to you who you are supposed to love this week that can ultimately draw that person closer to Him.

A Letter to Hate

The other morning I found myself watching the news about the Orlando massacre and crying. As I looked over at my wife Heather, there were tears streaming down her face as well. How is it that there is so much senseless violence in our country, in our world? Where does such hatred come from? My only answer was it is born of selfishness, confusion and pain. Perhaps some form of mental illness triggered by indifference that flourishes in self pity and self righteous.

When I think about history, I know that in other times and other places there have been terrible genocides and atrocities of massive proportions. Perhaps these are just as senseless, even on a grander scale. Sometimes the history of the world seems mostly about people taking each other’s stuff and killing. Certainly not the utopia of the garden where man once “walked” in harmony with God.

We live in a modern society with abundant freedoms to pursue our dreams and raise our children in relative tranquility. In contrast, violence of any kind is quite disturbing, and perhaps, without a strong anchor of truth, contagious. This all makes me wonder, where does such evil come from?

Does selfishness and indifference reside in the heart of man? My personal experience tells me it does, and so does the Bible. In our own power we will always fall short of God’s greater glory. The tendency to justify our desires, and our achievements; sometimes with great pride, always puts the focus on us instead of on others; instead of on God. Is it possible that even the smallest acts of self interest ripple beyond our understanding into great evil?

Todays Reading Link: Duetoronomy 31, Psalm 119:97-120. Isaiah 58, Matherw 6

The verse below from last Sunday’s reading offered me hope and understanding. It also encouraged me to write a letter to the problem, HATRED.

Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. -Psalm 115:1

Dear Hatred,

Why do you torment the helpless, the weak and the unprepared? Why do you spill the blood of grief upon those who suffer for your treachery? Are you a coward? Is your life driven by fear or confusion? Did you not see the sunrise or the sunset, and the dome of the heavens or the magnificence of nature that hath ceaselessly proclaimed the glory of the living God? Have you been passed over by love, unable to feel God’s love in the lives of those who have chosen to turn from their selfish desires? Have you not heard the good news: God’s grace is sufficient for all mankind! God’s love endures forever!

Yes, even you Hatred are loved are offered freedom from your malice and self loathing, through the redemption of the blood of Jesus. God proclaims your salvation as His hand reaches deep, into the depths of your despair, to pull you into the light of His amazing grace and love. Look away from your self. Look up. What would your life be if you knew the truth of God’s amazing love?

Hatred, I cry for you in your confusion, and for those who must wrestle in the pain that you deliver in the evil of your delusion. But you need to know this; love cannot be overcome! You cannot extinguish the light of hope, for it will only grow stronger, as the wounded and the left behind search for answers to your senseless violence.

In the light of the glory of God.

With all my Love,

Love