The Marvel and Majesty of God’s Love

“No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39 NLT)

If you’re a believer in and follower of the Lord Jesus, you have personally experienced the marvel and majesty of God’s love. Volumes have been written in an effort to describe God’s love. Countless songs have been sung seeking to give expression to its effects on those who have received it.

The reality is, God IS love and anyone who knows God becomes a vessel through whom His love can flow. John was clear when he wrote: “Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:7b-8 NLT)

John isn’t speaking about an emotion, a good feeling that comes and goes. The love of which he speaks in the above verse becomes a way of life. It’s a uniquely spiritual affection, not only for God, but for others, especially in the family of God. It’s not behavior as much as an attitude that fuels a lifestyle devoted to not simply acting in loving ways but being a loving person.

In 1 John 4:20 John writes: “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?”

Honestly, understanding God’s love can be confusing on some levels. For example, because love originates with God, ANY expression of love comes from God, even if the person who acts in a loving way isn’t a born again believer. Being loving isn’t what saves us, it’s the fruit of God’s love given full expression in Jesus when He died in our place on the Cross.

There’s nothing we can do to make God love us more and there’s nothing we can do to make God love us less. He loves us period! But it’s critical to understand that God’s love for us doesn’t determine our fate as humans. Some believe that since God will love them whether or not they choose a life of sin and disobedience, that it really doesn’t matter how they live. But love and relationship are two very different issues.

Because God is love His heart desires a relationship with us, but if we refuse, He will love us even if we choose to continue in our sins. Peter reminds us that God doesn’t want anyone to be lost (2 Peter 3:9), but He will not force anyone to be saved. God’s love has done everything possible to make a way for people to be saved, but ultimately, it’s up to us. We choose heaven or hell, not God. We alone choose to allow His Spirit to fill and enable us to grow in His love and live meaningful and purposeful lives.

God is a gentleman and will not violate our free will and force us to do anything, even love Him. The Bible is clear that God is patient, giving as many as possible the opportunity to be saved, but one day it will be eternally too late. Please don’t wait. Please don’t believe your goodness is going to be enough to merit entrance into heaven.

God’s word says in Isaiah 64:6: “We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous (good) deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags.” Our only hope is to be forgiven and wrapped in the righteous and spotless robes of our Savior Jesus. To trust in your own goodness is to believe you can swim the ocean under water in a single breath. Salvation from sin is a gift of God, available to all who will receive it.

God loves you more than you can possibly imagine, and He will forgive and give you a new life in Him regardless of what you’ve done or been, if you’re willing to seek His forgiveness. There is nothing that can separate you from His love and nothing He won’t forgive if you’re willing to ask.

Blessings, Ed 😊