The Love of God
Last year Bryce asked me when the last time was that I felt that God delighted in me. He referenced Mark 1:11 when the Father says to Jesus, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” The timing of the Father’s proclaimed affection is essential. At this point, Jesus hadn’t begun his ministry. No miracles, healings, preaching, or rebuking. In fact, if after this event Jesus continued his work as a carpenter and did nothing else, he would’ve been quite forgettable. Point being, the Father is thrilled about his son Jesus before he has done anything noteworthy. Jesus could not win the Father’s affections by his efforts. The Father loves his Son because he is his son. And in the same way, my Father loves me simply for who I am.
Bryce’s question caught me off guard and stumped me. I had no answer for him that day, and so I realized that I am not convinced God loves me. In fact, I struggle to believe anyone is thrilled about me. I know God loves me. I know God sent his only Son to die on a cross for my sins. But the knowledge of this truth is insufficient for the quandary found in the depths of my heart. Somewhere along the line, my sin and the sins of others against me have so wounded and confused me, that I am not convinced of God’s thrilling affections for me.
All the proving of self and insecurities of my life have led me to this: I must know that God loves me and that he is thrilled about me, that there is nothing that I have done, nor any good that I can do which will alter the level of his affections for me.
Paul’s prayer for Ephesus echoes this, he prays, “that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge.”
God’s love alone sustains us. His love addresses the devastating effects sin has wreaked on our lives. God’s love alone is our hope. For this reason, nothing can separate us from his love. The separation of God’s love from the Christian would discount the gospel altogether. We must know deep in our hearts that God loves us. A simple song sums this up quite well:
Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong
Yes, Jesus loves me
I empathize with the statement, “I am not convinced of God’s thrilling affections for me.” I fail to realize that his affections are indeed thrilling, for both of us.
This was a very timely post. Thanks for sharing!