Connected in The Word 2-25-26
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
GOD LOVES YOU! I admit that there are moments in life when the words, “God Loves You” can irritate me a little. There are times when people toss this phrase around like it is some magic formula that can instantly chase away depression, cancer, addiction, an abusive spouse, or the bank that is looking to repossess your house. The American version of Christianity sometimes makes the mistake of thinking that God’s Love fixes all the problems in our life. Even those outside the church sometimes hijack this phrase to justify and promote sinful behavior. It’s amazing how we as sinners can take such a beautiful Truth and completely mess it up.
GOD LOVES YOU! There are other times in life when these words, “God Loves You” can bring comfort and peace in a way that nothing else can. The power behind the words, “God Loves You” is the Truth of HOW GOD LOVES YOU! God became a man, suffered and died, and rose from the dead to forgive your sins, make you His child, and give you eternal life. God’s “Love” doesn’t guarantee an easy life, doesn’t chase away all our struggles, and usually doesn’t remove the “thorn in our flesh” (just ask St. Paul). God’s “Love” draws near to you when you are far from Him. God’s “Love” suffers alongside of you. God’s “Love” forgives your sins. God’s “Love” comes to you in His Gifts of Word & Sacrament. God’s “Love” comes to you through the people who love you, care for you, and carry your burdens.
We mess up love on so many levels in the world and even in the church today. We claim to love, we claim to speak and act in the name of love, and we even claim to celebrate love – And yet we get it all wrong! God’s Love (Agape Love) suffers and dies for His enemies (that’s us folks). God’s Love sustains us through the darkness because HE IS LOVE! God’s Love rescues us from sin, death, and the devil. And please don’t forget that as believers washed in the blood of Jesus – God’s Love absolutely can flow through us as we fulfill our various vocations in life.
IN WHATEVER YOU DO, GOD’S LOVE THROUGH YOU!
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