God's Love: a Revelation

How often do we hear this: God loves you - me?

There is not a Bible story that does not, in one way or another, point to God's love for humanity; in other words, me and you. Everything in this wonderful book reflects a piece of God's character - and we know that God is love so his character is one of love.

Maybe one of the most known verses to both believers and unbelievers is John 3:16 which states: "For God so loved the world..." The rest can be recited mechanically.

But, why does God love me so much? Have you ever asked that question?
In a way I cannot put into words, it bothers me a little that God loves me so much; just because.

Is it because I deserve it? No! I am a sinner and what I deserve is death [Romans 6:23]

Is it because I am good? Not even close!

"The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race;

he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God.
But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt.
No one does good, not a single one!" Psalms 54:2,3

So why does God love me so much?

"For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Incredible! God - the Creator of everything created; the Past, Present, and Future; the Alpha and Omega; the Great I AM; YAHWEH himself - loves me - a sinner; dust; a vagabond; slave to sin - so much that Jesus - the Beautiful Savior; the Lamb of God; the Way, Truth, and Life; the Light of the world; the Bread of Life & Fountain of Living Water; the Redeemer; the Messiah; the one who dwelt in God's own bosom - was not too big of a sacrifice for my sake; for your sake..

But why?

In order to find a possible answer to this lingering question, we need a throwback to the yestertimes. And, by the way, there is no way a truly satisfying answer to this question can be found - but I'll try my best.

Throwback

"So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27

What a privilege to be created in the image of God!.. and not of a monkey
Therefore, because God is a perfect God and Genesis says we were created in his own image, that means in the beginning, we were perfect creatures!

Not only were we perfect, but even though the rest of creation was not made "in his own image", everything made by God was still perfect and good! Try to imagine that: everything we consider a masterpiece of nature today, was originally infinitely better. That's sexy!

So everything created was perfect, good, free. Until that moment happened.

By sinning, Satan placed chains around this planet and called it captive. You see, we became prisoners of sin - and unfortunately, some of us are still prisoners today. But God is good!
That perfect and good nature we originally possessed was forever trapped behind an endlessly long and wide and deep wall of sin. But God is good!

Check it

"The man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame." Genesis 2:25

They felt no shame because they were constantly in the presence of God, clothed in his light. Remember that Adam and Eve were able to see God face to face without any consequences prior to their sinning. And God's face shines and radiates with glory! So I am pretty sure that the couple were continuously covered with the light that shone from God's face.

As a side note: you'll never have shame in your game

as long as you're in God's presence. So if there is shame
in your game: check yourself & your location, 'cuz most

likely you're not in God's presence.

But just in case you're not buying my 'clothed in light' thing, check out Moses in Exodus 34.

"When Moses came down Mount Sinai carrying the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn’t aware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken to the Lord. So when Aaron and the people of Israel saw the radiance of Moses’ face, they were afraid to come near him." Exodus 34:29,30

Once A & E sinned, "At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness." Genesis 3:7

Because of their recent disconnection from God, the couple were no longer able to see God face to face; God's glory could no longer cover their physical bodies. Instead, as we all know, other means were provided in order to hide the couple's nakedness. Likewise, our perfect and good nature was shattered as soon as sin entered God's perfect and good world.

Satan thought he won... but poor dude, he will never understand that he is nothing but a creature [not created in the image of God as you and I are - ha!] and that he can never be or beat the CREATOR! You see, he thought his perfect plan worked; but he failed to realize that, even then, God had already previously laid out a Most Perfect Plan.

How is this answering the primary question?

Now roll with me on this one: just as A & E desired to be with God after their fall, I believe that God desired to be with them even more! Adam's soul desired to be one with that of his creator again, I'm sure. I can imagine him going off in the distance by himself, thinking about the look of happiness and pride and approval in God's face as he revealed to him the names he had chosen for each animal. I'm sure Adam thought of the times he and God walked alone, side by side, talking about everything and nothing at all.

Most importantly, I can imagine God as depressed as they come, wishing he could simply undo everything just to be with Adam and Eve - even for just one last moment. Maybe he thought, "...after all, I AM! And I can do whatever I want simply because I AM! But, I won't..." I am positive that it burned him [and still burns him today] not being able to commune with those created in his own image. Indeed, it hurt him even more seeing his own reflection corrupted and enslaved by sin. . .

Did you catch that?

Enter Jesus.

The Creator simply had to feel, for himself, the effects of sin in full force. He was not and could not be content with just sitting up above, watching his fallen creation suffer and rot and wither under the influences of sin. Solution? He turned himself into one of us.

Cool...

Wait, what?!

God subjected himself to the full force of sin, for my sake? Indeed! In the form of Jesus.

"In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone... So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son." John 1:1-4; 14

This is unimaginable!

So when Jesus died on the cross for humanity's sake, them chains what's-his-face put around God's perfect and good creation were pulverized! God is good! - we - I am - no longer subject to follow the demands of sin, because Jesus overcame sin! What does this mean?

"But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do." Romans 8:9-12

Still don't get it?

Through Jesus' death, God is able to see his reflection - in me; in you - a bit more clearly. All the disfiguration caused by sin, all the filth, all the ugliness, God is now able to see past it all because, (Glory be to God!) he lived through it and overcame it in Jesus! Because he personally - I said, personally - know the full effect, the full force, the full power of the disease called sin, he offers me his love, which is ultimately himself (for God is love) as a remedy, as a cure. God's love is the shield which protects me from the further damages of sin.

The more imperfect I am, the more imperfections I own, the more God is drawn to me and longs to restore me into his good and perfect creation. Without God's love, we would be even more destroyed by sin. That does not mean, however, that I have to keep sinning so that God can be closer to me [Romans 6].

Therefore, because of Jesus' sacrifice, there is absolutely nothing that can deny me - us - the love of God. No wonder Paul said,

"What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, 'For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep') No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

Here is the part that melts my heart

And I am convinced that 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 8:31-39

Enjoy this beautiful song by one of my favorite artists
Philips, Craig & Dean - "What Kind Of Love Is This"