Tag: unlovable

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.

Good, Good Father

Today’s reading is Matthew 20 and Psalm 93.

As we read Matthew 20:1-16 about the laborers who worked in the vineyard and were paid the same wage regardless whether they started working at the beginning or the end of the day, I have a feeling of great gratitude. I’m thankful were serve a great God who doesn’t care what we’ve done and when we give our life to him, but only that we give our life to Him.

As I ponder this in amazement, I can’t help but wonder why he is so loving and gracious? For all parents reading this, think of a time when your young children had a really bad day and you were at your wit’s end. As bedtime nears you are not sure if you can take any more of it and if they are like our kids there must be caffeine in the bathwater because they become even more rambunctious and listening goes out the window during and after bath. You then tuck them into bed to say good night, and they say in the sweetest little voice, “Daddy/Mommy…I love you.” Your heart then instantly melts. You forget the recent scolding and headaches they just caused you, and you realize deep down your love for them is unconditional. Why? Well, I believe it is because they are yours and you created them. Check out Matthew 20:15. The vineyard owner says, “Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?” God is telling us we belong to Him. He is our Heavenly Father and our one and true Creator. When you or others can’t imagine how God can forgive many past sins and potentially nearly a lifetime of separation from Him in some cases, we need reminded that we are His and He created us so His love is unconditional forgetting past mistakes. He only wants us to come back like the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. As a side note, this why the role of an earthly father is so important, God created us to model His love so that our kids can see it through us.

This week in our church we studied Joshua 2 where Rahab, a prostitute, helped the Israelite spies entering Jericho, even though she was a pagan and lived a life even pagans would believe to be wrong. We learn in Matthew 1:5 that she later became part of the lineage of Jesus! Talk about a redemption story! The Bible is truly full of them with this being just one example. Our Pastor Mike Baker said, “You can never get so far from Jesus that He can’t save you.” I would also add that you can never get so far from Jesus that He can’t use you for something positive and big. Outsiders become insiders through Jesus, and we are all outsiders to God through our sin …even Christians(Romans 3:23). Pastor Mike said, “Jesus came for outsiders like Rahab and all of us.”

I can’t help but think of the lyrics to the song, “Good, Good Father.” The lyrics not only say, “You’re a good, good Father, it’s who you are.” The lyrics also say, “I’m loved by you, it’s who I am.” Isn’t that awesome? You may feel like a failure. Maybe you have a failed marriage or relationship, troubled kids who make you feel like a poor parent, professional shortcomings, financial challenges or even a fallout in relationship with your siblings or earthly parents whose love and approval you deeply yearn for. There is no question these situations are hard and painful. Thankfully, these lyrics are so true though as the Scriptures remind us countless times. He created us and not only is He good, but only Him and His love matters. This is who we are. His love, and His love only, defines us. His love is unconditional. Praise God!

As we read Matthew 20, we can also likely think of a family member or friend who is a non-believer, and we are reminded it’s not too late, no matter how old they are, and no matter how many times we have witnessed to them and feel like we’ve been unsuccessful. If they are still on this Earth, they can still be saved. Through these Scriptures today, God laid on my heart an elderly man with failing health who both my Dad and I have witnessed to. This man has done so much good in his life and is a wonderful person, but know John 14:6 to be the truth. These scriptures gave me hope for him and reminded me it’s not too late. He can still be saved! I must not give up. I must continue to pray for him and speak with him again.

I pray this has touched you in some way. Maybe you can relate to Rahab and this reminded you that you can be used for God’s purpose still and only His love defines you, or maybe it re-invigorated you to pray for and witness to a non-believer you know who can still be saved. Either way, we can all be very thankful we have a “Good, Good Father.”