Last week, we learned that when we, in simple childlike faith, choose to believe that God is for us, He is with us and He loves us, it will change the way we think about life. At that point, we realize we don’t have to hide from God. We can run to Him.
As we learn to embrace God’s love for us, we learn that we don’t live for God’s approval, but instead we learn to live from God’s approval. This can be a huge game changer when it comes to our faith.
Romans 5:8 says, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Long before we did anything right … Christ died for us.
He chooses to love us with an unconditional love. That means there is nothing I have done to make God love me less … and by the same token, there is nothing I can do to make God love me more.
“While we were still sinners” means before we knew God; before we loved God; before we even cared about God; while we were yet sinners; even while we were still sinning, God sent his son as the supreme sacrifice for our sins.
God loved us first. He loved us when we were unlovable and unlovely. He loved us when we did not love him in return. That’s how much God is for us.
When you realize that God is for you, you don’t live for his approval, but you can live from his approval. God does not love you for what you do. He loves you for who you are.
You don’t have to live with the constant legalistic tension of trying to measure up to experience God’s love.
Do you realize that God is for you? That’s why Jesus came to earth in the first place. He came to show us just how much our God loves us.
This Christmas, ask God to restore in you a simple, childlike faith that is determined to trust him, no matter what life may bring your way.
Be reminded that God is good. He is for you. He is with you. And he loves you with an over the top, outside of the box, unconditional kind of love. That’s what Christmas is all about.
For some reason, kids find it easier to accept by faith the fact that God loves them like this. As adults, let’s strive to set aside our doubt and believe like a child this Christmas.
You may read Steve Greene’s blog at pastorgreene.wordpress.com or you can email him at steve@gotothe point.com.