1 John 3:1 NIV
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
Growing up, I can remember a television show called, “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.” Every week the host, Robin Leach, would take viewers into the homes of famous celebrities. The biggest names in sports or entertainment would show you the luxury and extravagance that they lived in each day.
Living as a kid in Mississippi, that way of living seemed beyond my imagination. All you needed to be rich in our neighborhood was to have a swimming pool! Exotic locations, massive homes, expensive cars. I did not know anyone who lived like that, and we DEFINITELY did not live that way. My parents provided for us and we lived in a modest home, but I could not wrap my mind around the lavish lifestyle that I saw portrayed.
I have a hard time wrapping my mind around the lavishness of God’s love. Why would a holy God want to bless, care, and comfort people who continue to mess things up? My sin rejects His righteousness. My thoughts, attitudes, and actions are in direct conflict with God’s purity and holiness. Yet God’s love goes above and beyond what we deserve.
Romans 5:8 NIV
But God demonstrates His own love toward us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The sacrifice of Jesus demonstrates how much you are loved! While choosing my own selfishness, God sent Jesus to pay the price for my sin and made the way for me to be reconnected to Him. You and I can now be known as children of God!
You may be struggling to accept the fact that God loves you. You may replay all of the flops and failures in your life and wonder, “How could a perfect God love such an imperfect person?” It is hard to fully grasp, but it is the truth. You are loved by God!
As we pray today, let us spend time meditating on 1 John 3:1. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help the meaning sink in…move from knowing to believing. Thank God for His lavish love and thank Him for calling you His child.