“An Unbelievable Love”
God proved His love for us, in that while we were His enemies, He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us so that we can be made right with Him. Now, we know the words, but do we realize just how unbelievable that love really is?
As parents we give our sons and daughters to fight in the military for God and country, but not with the expressed purpose and understanding that they are going to die. But would we do the same, that is, give up our sons and daughters to help save the life of a traitor, a murderer, an abuser?
The answer is a resounding “NO.” But not so God! He gave His Son for the worst of the worst. He gave His Son for those who expressly were and are His enemies. He gave His Son to die for the ungodly, wicked, depraved, and those to expressly hate Him and tell Him so to His face.
This was the Apostle Paul’s whole point when he said, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
Can you imagine the emotional toll that took upon God? This is hard for us, because we don’t equate God with having the same emotions that we do, but He does, only in a way that is holy and righteous.
So, can you imagine the hurt and pain He suffered when He saw His Son unmercifully beaten and hung upon the cross to die? Can you imagine the unbelievable love of God as He did all of this for us?
Can you imagine how God felt when for the first time since time began, He had to literally separate Himself from His own Son as Jesus took upon Himself our sins? That is the price that both the Father and the Son paid for you and me.
That is how much God loves us. What an unbelievable love.
Dennis Lee is Senior Pastor at Living Waters Fellowship, Mesquite, Nevada. He presently has two books, “From Here to There: A Journey to Spiritual Transformation,” and “Wells of Living Waters,” He also writes a religious column for a local newspaper entitled, “Rediscover the Bible for Life,” along with daily devotionals and thoughts that he posts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Living Waters Fellowship’s Website
Image by DEEPAI
As a parent, that is a very sovereign question: would I give up my son and daughters to save the lives of those who have done such terrible things. Yet that is exactly what Jesus did for all of us, as undeserving as we were, and all the atrocities we did to Him. Whenever I read that scripture in Romans 5:8 mentioned here, I am reminded of what Jesus said upon that Cross in Luke 23:34a, “Then Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” For the very ones who put Him upon that cross and were blaspheming and mocking Him. And yet that prayer was not just for them, it was for each and every single one of us. And yes, that is truly how much God loves us and so much more than we can even fathom, which I am ever so grateful for.
Thank you, Debbie, what great insight. I pray God continues to bless you. Take care and God bless