"We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19)
As I get older, with every year that passes, I am able to grasp and understand a bit more the true love and extreme sacrifice that Jesus made for me (and for us all) on the cross. I don't think I will ever be able to fully comprehend it all just because God is an unfathomable God; His ways are not my ways; they are far above my own ... that in and of itself is a VERY good thing.
As a Mom, I can't wrap my mind around the thought of ever giving up my one and only son, to die in the place of others; to take the penalty of all mankind's sin upon himself especially if my son had never once done any wrong in his life! Completely and 100% sinless. No fault found. Not even one bad thought. How unfair does that seem? Why would someone so pure and innocent take on such a massive burden? ... Unless... UNLESS driven by love and obedience to God's will. It was all part of God's perfect plan in saving us. Oh what love!
God gave us His one and only son in order to pay the price for our sin - which is death. Jesus took on our guilt and our shame and stood in our place; all the while paving the way so that we could have a "redemption story". The most beautiful love story that can ever be told. He provided a way out for us; giving us the opportunity (AND a choice, mind you) to live with Jesus in heaven for forever! P.S.) This is a free gift.
No coupon code necessary for this life-changing purchase.
No coupon code necessary for this life-changing purchase.
Knowing that God sent His only son, Jesus, to this earth to die the most painful, torturous death in all of history because He loves us THAT MUCH is mind-blowing. He longs for me/us to be in a personal relationship with Him. This is life-altering. It's not something I can have knowledge of and then not do anything with it. My life has changed for the better because of His great love and sacrifice. I want every aspect of my life to be centered around Him. I want to love Jesus the way that He loves me. (And I want to love others the way that He loves them.) How do I do that, though? How can I show Him that I love Him?
I give Him my life, my trust, my heart, my obedience, my will, my plans, my desires, everything. He gave His life for me, so how can I not do the same for Him?
Sacrifice = True Love. True Love = Sacrifice.
Any way you slice it or dice it, this is the truth. I know because I've experienced it for myself in my marriage, in my family, in my relationships and in my motherhood. I've learned that through giving of myself, my time, my resources, etc, for the ones I love, whatever that sacrifice may be, in order that they may gain something from my that sacrifice, that's how I show my sincere love and care for them.
In the same way, Jesus showed us just how much He loves and cares for us by His sacrifice. To the point of death. He looks at us all individually and says "You're worth it. You are mine. And I love you THIS much." He opened his arms up wide and showed us what true love looks like. He led by example, He always did.
Although my heart breaks every time I think of His death on the cross in my place, I am able to live life to the fullest because I know that Sunday is coming... and Sunday means MY REDEEMER LIVES. I can face today. I can face tomorrow. I can face the unknown, I can do this life because Jesus conquered death. In Him I find hope, I find purpose and I find all that I will ever need in Him. I don't deserve a single one of the wonderful things God has done for me and my life. And I guess that's what does it for me, knowing that I'm unworthy ... and still ... He chooses to love me, care for me and be there for me. To be my constant. Never once abandoning me despite my shortcomings; instead loving me for who I am today and
loving me too much to leave me the way I am.
Love. Sacrifice. Redemption.
