“…nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from 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 8:38-39
We are neither an outcome of a billion-year-old big bang nor greatly-grand offspring of amoebic-transformation. However, we are fearfully and wonderfully made by an intentional God who loves us unconditionally. A study has shown that while 81% of Americans have experienced God’s love, 83% have felt God’s love increasing their compassion for others.
Do these sweet statistics mirror your situation? Are you knee-deep in secret sin that you feel the love of God is beyond reach? Have you experienced challenging situations that make you doubt the love of God? Maybe it was after a failure or a mistake you made, or perhaps it was a difficult time in your relationships. Whatever it is, I want you to know that a proper revelation and understanding of God’s love will change everything for you. RNS Press once wrote, “God’s love often allows people to see beyond circumstances when faced with pain and suffering in self-sacrificial and self-affirming ways“.
While We Were Still Sinners
Romans 5:7-8 says, “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person… “But God demonstrates His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. This amazing sacrifice of over 2000 years ago will forever be in our memories. God showed His unconditional love towards mankind by sending Jesus, His only begotten son, to die for a sinful and unrepentant world. Of course, no man would be willing to lay down his life for anyone, but Jesus did because of God’s love for us.
Even with this sacrifice, we can testify of the incapability of man to love the way God does. Have you ever been in a situation where you needed help from someone you’ve shown up for countless times, yet they couldn’t help you? How did you feel? Hurt and unloved? No matter how close you are to your family or friends, they will never be able to show that love without blemish, let alone sacrifice their life for you because they are human and, therefore, imperfect.
God’s love accepts us
The story of an adulterous woman in John 8 is a beautiful description of what the love of God does. Based on the law, she should face death as a penalty for her sin. But instead, Jesus accepted her and stood in the gap for her. Therefore, her accusers had no option but to walk away. This is simply what the saving love of God can do, welcoming us to find refuge and seek forgiveness from Him instead of running away from His presence even when we sin. God wants us to come to Him with our flaws, sins, and failures. We should never come to a point where we feel rejected or neglected by God. No matter how submerged you are in sin, the love of God is strong enough to bring you up, save you and set you free.
God’s Love Expels Fear
” Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced His perfect love”.
-1 John 4:18
When you are in a challenging situation, will you want to inform anyone? What if you are likely to face punishments for your wrongs? Will you hide or expose them? Many people prefer to hide their mess and mistakes; it could be for fear of judgment from others or fear of getting punished.
Nonetheless, when it comes to God, He wants us to be able to share everything with Him, no matter how messy it can be. Therefore, He is willing to help us through the secrets we struggle with and to provide all we need to survive, overcome our failures, and live above sin.
How do you see God? As a loving or an unjust judge? When we see God as a loving father who can give up everything to win our hearts, it will change how we relate with Him. Everyone wants a father to run to in an unpleasant situation and trying time. God is that father you need. He is willing to listen to your pain, fears, and flaws and help you through every life situation. Allow this love to expel the fear of running to Jesus for help and revealing your secret sins and fears. Oh! How relieving it is to know that God is on your side no matter what.
No Love is No Life
John Piper said, “God’s love paid the highest price, the life of the Son, for undeserving enemies, to give the greatest happiness.” God’s love purchased life forevermore! Deciding to go through the rocky roads of life without God can be a disaster. It is just like jumping off a cliff without a parachute. How loud will the crashing sound be? Yet, this is how many lives are; they live without reverence for God or even acceptance of His love.
When we are unaware of God’s love toward us, we can easily be blinded by the enemy’s schemes, feel unaccepted and forsaken when faced with challenges, and even hide our secret sins from Him. However, when we understand God wants the best for us and that even His chastisement comes from the place of love, it helps us to accept His love, His plans, and the purposes of our lives.
Seek to Experience God’s love
“For Christ’s love compels us because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.”
– 2 Corinthians 5:14
Have you ever loved someone so much that you are willing to sacrifice your time, money, energy, and anything for them? How about someone loving you so much that you had no choice but to love them? There is a compelling force that comes from loving and being loved. Knowing we are loved by God compels us to live right, serve, follow, and trust Him.
Nevertheless, I can go on and on to tell you about God’s love and how important it is to walk in it, yet it is not enough until you get this love experience. No one can describe a situation better than one with experience. To experience God’s love, we must have a relationship with Him. We have seen scripturally that God loves us all, and nothing can separate us from the love of God, yet only those who have a standing relationship with God can enjoy the fullness of God’s love.
The life of sin can be enticing and satisfying. It may look fulfilling, but when we decide to follow the way of the Lord by surrendering to Him, we will begin to experience a life of peace, joy, and fulfillment which are all benefits of God’s love. Outside this love experience, we will feel so empty, but there is a transformation experience God’s love brings. A massive transformation!
The closer you are to God, the better the love experience you get. It unveils as we surrender our life, desires, decisions, and fears to God and let Him walk through life with us. You need to experience the love of God; the world needs to experience it too. Are you willing to have a relationship with God today? If yes, it is time to surrender to God, speak to Him about your secret sins and fears, and let Him help you through life’s journey.