Read:
Romans 8:39 “…neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Psalm 103:1-4 “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion”
Think:
In the 1970s, Bruce Jenner seemed to have it all. He achieved worldwide fame, wealth, and admiration as an Olympic gold medalist. He was even considered for Hollywood roles in Superman and James Bond. However, he is now best known for his gender transition from Bruce to Caitlyn.
Sometimes we make poor decisions, and they can leave us facing guilt, regret, and doubt. But our bad decisions don’t decrease our value. We are still fully loved by God, even in the face of our shortcomings.
God's love is not dependent on our actions or identity. He loves us. In fact, Romans 8:39 tells us that nothing in all of creation can separate us from God’s love.
Did you get that? Nothing.
In Romans 5:8, God reinforces that truth: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus loves us so much that even when we were still living in a state of rebellion, he was willing to die for us. He extends his love even before we decide if we will turn back to him or not.
This message of unconditional love is one that we can all strive to embody in our interactions with others. And we are more likely to extend this love to others when we remember that it has already been extended to us.
Apply:
Who can you show unconditional love to today? It may be an impatient driver who cuts you off, a co-worker who snaps at you in a stressful moment or a family member who has let you down. Ask God to help you see others the way he does.
Pray:
Jesus, help me show your love to those who are far away from you. May I be a witness and testimony to the gospel in human flesh. In Jesus’ name, Amen.