Flawed (Part 4)
Romans 5: 8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
You need love the most when you feel you deserve it the least. It is most difficult to accept love and understanding from others when you're in a state of anger, shame, anxiety, or depression. Your flaws will put you in mind of your past spiritual condition and failures. Yet, understanding the truth of God's love for you shifts your perspective and makes you realize that His love is actually the greatest gift you will ever receive during your lifetime.
Jesus’ work on the cross was a clear, unmistakable declaration of love for you with your flaws. This love is unconditional because when you were in your worst state Christ died for you:
Ephesian 2:1-5 “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)"
So the simple answer is, “yes.” Yes, God loves you! As hard as it may be to believe even with your flaws, it is the truth.
Romans 5: 8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
You need love the most when you feel you deserve it the least. It is most difficult to accept love and understanding from others when you're in a state of anger, shame, anxiety, or depression. Your flaws will put you in mind of your past spiritual condition and failures. Yet, understanding the truth of God's love for you shifts your perspective and makes you realize that His love is actually the greatest gift you will ever receive during your lifetime.
Jesus’ work on the cross was a clear, unmistakable declaration of love for you with your flaws. This love is unconditional because when you were in your worst state Christ died for you:
Ephesian 2:1-5 “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)"
Your salvation has made eternal life possible. He loved you in spite of your flaws. Hear the words of Jesus:
John 10:10 “The thief comes to steal and to kill and to destroy, Jesus said. “I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.”
God is not stingy and wants to lavish His love on us. Remember, Paul was formerly an enemy of Christ. He constantly persecuted Christians seeking their destruction. He lived by the letter of the law rather than through an understanding of God’s love. If he even thought of God’s love, he probably felt that God could not love him apart from rule-following. Yet, in Jesus, he found God’s grace and accepted God’s love. One of his greatest interpretations of God’s love is this:
Romans 8:31, 32 “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"
Verses 35-39 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
So the simple answer is, “yes.” Yes, God loves you! As hard as it may be to believe even with your flaws, it is the truth.
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