http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Cor%2013:4-7&version=NIV1984
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:16&version=NIV1984
In yesterday’s post I put forth the idea that Satan’s biggest lie (and his original one) was that God doesn’t love us. It really is a sinister one. It strikes right at the heart of who God is (love) and what we desperately need. Of course, the whole idea that God doesn’t love us is absurd. The reason why we were created was love. The reason why God gave us laws and rules to live by was love. The reason why Jesus came to earth and died on the cross was love. The reason why God hasn’t ended time, as we know it, is love. I mean how can we even remotely entertain the idea that God doesn’t love us? The fact is that even when we ignore Him, even when we rebel, even when we sin against Him, He still loves us. Unconditionally.
Unfortunately it is not just unbelievers who believe the lie that God doesn’t love them. Many Christians believe this as well. Oh I know that we’ve been taught differently. And we even say that we know that God loves us. But do we really believe this? Or are we just giving it lip service? How can we say that we truly believe that God loves us when we often keep our distance from Him? When we put other things before Him? When we are afraid to confess our sins? When we doubt Him? When we think that we have to be ‘perfect’? When we think that God’s love for us is tied into going to church. And having devotions. And giving our tithe. All of these things point to the fact that we really don’t believe that God loves us. We have fallen for the lie of Satan.
Of course, we also struggle with Satan’s second lie as well. The fact that since God loves us we can do anything that we want. It won’t matter. Really? Isn’t love all about having respect for others? About being kind? Thoughtful? About treating others the way that we want to be treated? That’s what Paul says in I Corinthians 13:4-7. The truth is that love is not synonymous with unilateral freedom. Yes, love is the freedom to do whatever we want. But it is also tempered by our desire not to hurt or take advantage of others. It is a voluntary restricting of our freedom to the point where we refuse to hurt others. And seek the best for them. That is love.
Unfortunately so many people in our world believe the fact that since God loves them that they can do anything they want. But that is not love. It is license. And license takes advantage of people. And it is easy to take advantage of people we don’t love. So, in the end, these 2 lies of Satan are connected. God doesn’t love us. So He won’t mind if we take advantage of Him. Wow. How twisted is this! It’s a wonder that God doesn’t cry a river every day as He sees how pervasive these lies of Satan are in our world!
So, just exactly where are we in regard to God’s love? Do we believe that God loves us or not? What are the evidences that we can point to that prove that we understand God’s love for us? Has our behavior changed or in any way been altered? Are we drawing closer to God in intimate fellowship? Do we find ourselves thinking about Him more and more? Do we have a desire to do whatever He wants? To please Him in all that we do? The answers to these questions will ultimately determine whether we believe that God loves us. Or whether we believe the lie.
Take a moment right now and search your heart. Where are you on this? God loves you with a deep, intimate, eternal, unconditional love. Ask Him to help you to understand this. To experience it. To live it. Today and every day!
Lord, I thank you for the greatest example of Your love for me - Jesus on the cross. How can I ever doubt Your love? Help me to not only know that You love me but to experience it. To live in it each day. And may it flow out to others around me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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