1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. (KJV)
We are at the tail end of the Christmas season, and yes I do enjoy this time of year a lot.
This year I have spent a lot of time reflecting on what life is all about. It’s been a different kinda year, some very challenging moments and other deep soul pleasing times.
With all the yoyoing restrictions that have been dished out to everyone, hearing about friendships being torn apart and families refusing to interact with each other because of vaccination status is very heart breaking. There is no way that a virus should have this much control over human emotions.
Parents refusing to let children home because of vax status, children threatening parents not to allow them the joy of seeing their grandchildren because of vax status, being segregated in public places like restaurants, theaters, sports events and even churches because of vax status, for some being treated like 3rd class trash because of vax status has really taken a toll on peoples mental health.
I don’t know what your vax stat is and I don’t really care. In the past we have always been able to work, play, socialize side by side without issues and that is what I believe we are designed to do.
Lets take a look at 1John4:11, it doesn’t say: Beloved, if God so loved us due to our vax status, we ought also to love one another according to their vax status. (we can put anything in there not just vax, but that is the biggest issue in the world right now and causing a lot of heartache in people so that is what is on my heart).
God SO loved us, as we are. In our sinful state. Regardless or because of our sins that He did something that none of us deserve but He did it because He loves us! Period!
If I let my imagination go to what a conversation may have occurred between God and His Son, Jesus it could have gone something like this: ‘Jesus, my heart is broken for my children on earth, they are so lost and hurting. I need you to go and show them love and how to love. Without you they will be lost to me forever. You are My only Son and only You can bring my earthly children home to me. It will be painful for you and for me to know that you will be rejected and hurt but I will give you strength and be with you. I will give you a loving mother and her husband together will raise you from baby in a humble home. Going as a babe and growing up in a normal home will allow people to connect with you and embrace your love for them. Only through You will people be able to love unconditionally and find true peace. Jesus, bring them home to us!’
Now can you imagine if Jesus would have argued with God and came to earth with a chip on His shoulder. I mean He had the perfect life why would He leave all that and come to this hurting earth and live with people who just hurt each other and have so much hate and sin? Knowing that His life on earth right from the start was going to be hard; born in a stable, manger for a bed, His parents having to flee with Him in the first years for fear of His life, and later in life dying for these people, why would He want to come here?
He came because He loves us. He came to save us from eternal hell. during His walk on earth He showed a type of love like no one had ever witnessed before. He healed lepers, the untouchable; He ate with sinners, He reached out to prostitutes and taught true love and gave everlasting life to them. There was only 1 requirement for them and for us and that is to embrace His love and grace and as a result of that love is to turn away from our sinful life.
I, for one am eternally glad that Jesus loves me enough to have left His Heavenly home to save me. That’s the kind of love that 1John4:11 is talking about – God loves us so much He sent His Son to lay down His life for me, I need to love as He does. Humanly it is impossible and I mess up all the time but Jesus never does and His love is powerful! And the beauty is that He will help me to love like He does as long as I ask and lean on Him.