1 John 4:10 This is the embodiment of true love: not that we have loved God first, but that He loved us and sent His unique Son on a special mission to become an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
The word sung about more than anything, be it in spiritual or secular songs is "love".
Howard Jones' song "What is love" says "does anybody live anybody anyway?"
The verse above very clearly states what real love is - it is most starkly and graphically displayed through Jesus' death on the cross for EACH INDIVIDUAL ONE OF US.
This is not some generalised blanket salvation, but an individually tailored one, fitted to fill our heart in a unique way.
The other night we watched an episode of the Repair Shop where folk bring personal, precious items that are broken and tarnished by wear and tear or accidents.
The team of skilled workers carry out the intricate restoration and then present each item back to the owner made anew.
Often they are so overwhelmed they shed tears of joy.
As they dismantled and washed away the deep seated stains, gently tapped away dents and intricately reassembled the pieces, I was put in mind of how the Holy Spirit works within us when we let Jesus into our lives.
Many things need to be dealt with and it takes time - a life time! But when Jesus completes His work, He will present us faultless to the Father:
Jude 24-25 Now, to the one with enough power to prevent you from stumbling into sin and bring you faultless before his glorious presence to stand before him with ecstatic delight, to the only God our Saviour, through our Lord Jesus Christ, be endless glory and majesty, great power and authority—from before he created time, now, and throughout all the ages of eternity. Amen!
When Jesus died on the cross he stared down the telescope of time backwards and forwards and saw each one of us and died the death we deserve, paying the punishment that we should pay! He paid it in full. It's a love freely available and offered uniquely to you and me specially!
God doesn't care about the colour of your skin He only cares about the heart that lies within God doesn't care if you wear weird clothes He sees beyond the thing that outwardly shows Because He loves you and He's only concerned That you know Jesus and His Truth you have learned God's Dear Son Jesus died on Calvary's tree For God loves you and me
These are the words of the song that the Holy Spirit gave me on bus number 103 going home from work in March 1977. I still recall it so clearly.
I had recently been baptised in the Holy Spirit and my heart was vibrant with amazement - discovering with new eyes the love of God poured out to each one in Jesus.
May we never lose the wonder of being loved uniquely by God!
Selah
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