As I walked one afternoon, I began meditating on a couple of scriptures that may be quite familiar to some of you:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
God loved us smack dab in the middle of our sin. He demonstrated His love while we rejected Him. He poured His life out as an offering with the chance we may never love Him back. Why would He lay Himself down for us in the midst of our wickedness? Why would He provide a way of escape for us when we lived a life that mocked His ways? Why? In that moment of question, I felt Him gently speak, “Not because you're worthy of it, but because you're WORTH IT.”
Immediately I was reminded:
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12
It is not a suggestion, but a commandment to love as He loved. We are called to love those who do not deserve it. It's far more than voicing the words "I love you." Love is a verb and demands action. It is demonstrated in our choices, in our attitudes, in our words spoken towards EVERYONE… yes, even the unlovely. Yes, even the one who disrespects you, the one who speaks evil of you, the one who has smeared your name, the one who has broken your heart, corrupt leaders, misguided politicians, the harsh boss that takes you for granted…
We have become so accustomed to the thought that we need to only respect and love those who are deserving of it and those who have earned it. God’s ways are much higher than our human logic:
“You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy; But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you to show that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers alike. For if you love those who love you, what reward can you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that? And if you greet only your brethren, what more than others are you doing? Do not even the heathen do that? You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:42-48
Each one of us was once lost in our sin and living a life separated from God… and yet - Jesus found us WORTH IT. When we are tempted to pull our judgmental swords and withhold “the love of God that has been shed abroad in our hearts” let’s remember where we came from and love those who have not yet found The Way.
"And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?" Romans 2:3-4
The goodness of God. The goodness of God in what Jesus already did, the goodness of God in our everyday lives, and could it also be the goodness of God THROUGH US to others that will lead them to true repentance?
May our love walk demonstrate the God who loved “while we were yet sinners.” May God's love in action - in us - be the very tool that gains us access to speak the Truth into those people’s lives who Jesus found WORTH IT! J
