Unconditional love says we are loved no matter what. Despite our circumstances, our past, our failures, our sin, our mistakes, our guilt and our shame, God will never, no not ever, give up on us (John 10:28). That’s a little hard to believe. Often we feel a need to earn God’s grace. We’ve experienced too many free gifts with strings attached. The “no obligation” offers somehow end up coming with obligations. The promise of rest and an easy burden sounds too good to be true. Yet, this is what God desires for us. There is a part of all of us that resists needing God as much as we really do. If we can actually do things right, then we don’t have to ask God for forgiveness. We don’t have to feel guilty. After all, we didn’t do anything wrong. Yet, this kind of thinking and need for control actually misses the point. Right or wrong, good or bad, God loves us, and He always will. While there are certainly consequences for our actions, being rejected by God is not one of them. Why are we working so hard to please someone who is already pleased with us? Some people work hard to please God so their lives will be problem-free. How well is that working? Problems come to every life no matter how you live it. So, should we just live our lives any way we want to? Is that what God is leading you to do? Is that what’s truly in your heart? Living outside of God’s will places an equally heavy burden on our lives. Jesus’ yoke is easy. A poorly made yoke will gouge an animal’s neck and make the work excruciating. A life lived apart from God is a poorly made yoke. A legalistic, religious life also places a heavy burden on us. But, a properly made yoke makes the work much easier. Yes, there is work, but it’s meaningful work. Do you question whether God is pleased with you? Are you doing or not doing things to secure God’s favor in your life? God’s favor is His grace ...a free gift (Ephesians 2:8-9). God is pleased with you. Tell yourself that today.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 13:00:05 +0000
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