There is often so much confusion. We have so many questions. We are human, we live in a fallen world.
Look in the Bible, you can’t even get to chapter 3 before man is in a huge mess, all because they heard a voice that questioned God’s word, “Did God really say this?”
We know the story; they believed a lie, were tempted, their eyes were opened, they suddenly ‘knew’ they were naked, then they tried to cover up their nakedness by sewing some large, itchy leaves together. Then God called, and they hid.
In no way was Adam and Eve seeking God at this point. They were busy, and probably anxious, and after they had put on the fig leaves, I think they were probably very uncomfortable and miserable – over their heads!
Yes, “outside there were conflicts,…” (2 Corinthians 7:6). We know the conflict, we live in this fallen world. Adam said: “It’s the woman You gave me!” And Eve, “The devil deceived me! Hey, here are some fig leaves, let’s fix this!”
“Inside there were fears,” words in 2 Corinthians… so Adam and Eve said “Let’s hide!”
“Nevertheless God…” Man wasn’t seeking God, but God was seeking man. Chapter 7 verse 6 in 2 Corinthians!
“And, I’m sure He was very angry,” you might be thinking.But open up God’s word –
It’s right there in Genesis 3:9, “Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”
God didn’t ask, “What are you doing?” Or, “How come you did this?” No, He simply asked, “Where are you?”
This is God’s question, to you and to me…for today perhaps, God asks this for each of us, in our own time…
We can never take God out of the picture. Will we ever understand God’s Agape love?
God’s love passes our human knowledge. ‘God’s love is very patient…God’s love does not demand it’s own way.’ (1 Cor. 13:4). God’s love is loyal…no matter what the cost, because God’s love ‘bears all things.’ (1 Cor. 13:7). This is high. This if from above. This is the reason God’s word we adore!
He’s demonstrated this to us, ‘ in that while we we’re still sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Romans 5:8). This is beyond our comprehension! This is graciousness!
We can’t always believe the best about someone, But God…can.
We can’t always stand our ground in defending someone, (especially after we’ve been hurt by them), But God, because He is Agape, unconditional love that is beyond our understanding, He can! He does! He will… This is the truth of His great love for us: “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34.
These are His words to His Father after being nailed to the cross! These words are too great to ignore!
There is not one thing you or I can do to earn God’s love. He doesn’t love someone more for their ‘good works’. God IS love! This is who He is. God is Agape. His love, loves, no matter what!
“God, will we ever understand Your Agape love?”
God is love. (1)
Bottom line.
There is separation from God for all eternity, because of the fall so long ago. But God…He so loved us, that He gave His only Son to receive the punishment of death, instead of us – so that whoever believes on Jesus and calls on His name- receives forgiveness and healing and a brand new start.
We may never fully understand His great love. But God…He doesn’t leave us orphans. Jesus said this Himself : “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” (2)
And nothing can separate us from the love we receive…there is nothing in this world that can tear this apart . (3)
But we need help – we get confused, we can’t always see clearly. His word is given to restore and bring light.
Jesus speaks clearly, because He loves us. Satan always lies and makes us feel God is unreasonable – but ‘His burden is light’ compared to the oppression of guilt! Talk to God and ask Him to show you the way…His commands are gentle and there is great joy when we choose to obey…
If you don’t have a willing heart, ask Him to give you one.
He will not leave you alone. His name is hope and victory won!
“If you love Me, you will do the things I command. I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper. He will give you this Helper to be with you forever. The Helper is the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him because it does not see Him or know Him.
But you know Him. He lives with you and He will be in you.” John 14:15-17.
We might not understand God’s love, and we might not even know how to receive it, but Jesus tells us what it is we need ! He doesn’t leave us orphans to fend for ourselves, He gives us a Comforter, the Holy Spirit to help!
Oh how we need to surrender to God, oh how need to receive The Holy Spirit from above! Apostle Paul writes so passionate about all this, “So I bow in prayer before the Father. Every family in heaven and on earth gets its true name from him. I ask the Father in his great glory to give you the power to be strong in spirit. He will give you that strength through His Spirit.”(Eph. 3:14-16).
Oh Lord that we hear and receive this!”
“I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love.”(Eph 3:17).
“And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love. I pray that you can understand how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is.”(Eph 3:18).
“Christ’s love is greater than any person can ever know. But I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God.” (Eph 3:19).
“With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of .” (Eph 3:20).
In His word we find great things- oh that we make time to glean and read!
These words are from the Living Bible, the words chosen for children to read…
because sometimes we need to hear it simply –
God’s word is to be read! God’s heart yearns for this, “Please!”
He knows we can’t understand, and He knows what we need. He didn’t leave us as orphans. Yes, we can understand His agape love, but only by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus speaks to you and me, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things …(4)
So, is there hope?
There is always hope – “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts,…” Romans 5:5.
“How?” You might ask. “How can the love of God be poured out in our hearts?”
“…by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (5)
What if we don’t have that love and we want the love of God poured out in our hearts?
We need to cry out to the Father in the name of the the Lord Jesus!
Today, and tomorrow and every minute! Breath by breath and step by step:
“Father, empty me of myself and my sin, fill me with You and Your love, and give me O God, the Helper, the Holy Spirit, that I might grow to understand more and more Your love. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Thank you God the Father for sending Your Son, and for hearing my prayers – and giving me understanding and power to experience Your agape love!
(1) 1 John
(2) John 14:18.
(3) Romans 8:30.
(4)John 14:26.
(5).(Romans 5:4)
Look in the Bible, you can’t even get to chapter 3 before man is in a huge mess, all because they heard a voice that questioned God’s word, “Did God really say this?”
We know the story; they believed a lie, were tempted, their eyes were opened, they suddenly ‘knew’ they were naked, then they tried to cover up their nakedness by sewing some large, itchy leaves together. Then God called, and they hid.
In no way was Adam and Eve seeking God at this point. They were busy, and probably anxious, and after they had put on the fig leaves, I think they were probably very uncomfortable and miserable – over their heads!
Yes, “outside there were conflicts,…” (2 Corinthians 7:6). We know the conflict, we live in this fallen world. Adam said: “It’s the woman You gave me!” And Eve, “The devil deceived me! Hey, here are some fig leaves, let’s fix this!”
“Inside there were fears,” words in 2 Corinthians… so Adam and Eve said “Let’s hide!”
“Nevertheless God…” Man wasn’t seeking God, but God was seeking man. Chapter 7 verse 6 in 2 Corinthians!
“And, I’m sure He was very angry,” you might be thinking.But open up God’s word –
It’s right there in Genesis 3:9, “Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”
God didn’t ask, “What are you doing?” Or, “How come you did this?” No, He simply asked, “Where are you?”
This is God’s question, to you and to me…for today perhaps, God asks this for each of us, in our own time…
We can never take God out of the picture. Will we ever understand God’s Agape love?
God’s love passes our human knowledge. ‘God’s love is very patient…God’s love does not demand it’s own way.’ (1 Cor. 13:4). God’s love is loyal…no matter what the cost, because God’s love ‘bears all things.’ (1 Cor. 13:7). This is high. This if from above. This is the reason God’s word we adore!
He’s demonstrated this to us, ‘ in that while we we’re still sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Romans 5:8). This is beyond our comprehension! This is graciousness!
We can’t always believe the best about someone, But God…can.
We can’t always stand our ground in defending someone, (especially after we’ve been hurt by them), But God, because He is Agape, unconditional love that is beyond our understanding, He can! He does! He will… This is the truth of His great love for us: “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34.
These are His words to His Father after being nailed to the cross! These words are too great to ignore!
There is not one thing you or I can do to earn God’s love. He doesn’t love someone more for their ‘good works’. God IS love! This is who He is. God is Agape. His love, loves, no matter what!
“God, will we ever understand Your Agape love?”
God is love. (1)
Bottom line.
There is separation from God for all eternity, because of the fall so long ago. But God…He so loved us, that He gave His only Son to receive the punishment of death, instead of us – so that whoever believes on Jesus and calls on His name- receives forgiveness and healing and a brand new start.
We may never fully understand His great love. But God…He doesn’t leave us orphans. Jesus said this Himself : “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” (2)
And nothing can separate us from the love we receive…there is nothing in this world that can tear this apart . (3)
But we need help – we get confused, we can’t always see clearly. His word is given to restore and bring light.
Jesus speaks clearly, because He loves us. Satan always lies and makes us feel God is unreasonable – but ‘His burden is light’ compared to the oppression of guilt! Talk to God and ask Him to show you the way…His commands are gentle and there is great joy when we choose to obey…
If you don’t have a willing heart, ask Him to give you one.
He will not leave you alone. His name is hope and victory won!
“If you love Me, you will do the things I command. I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper. He will give you this Helper to be with you forever. The Helper is the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him because it does not see Him or know Him.
But you know Him. He lives with you and He will be in you.” John 14:15-17.
We might not understand God’s love, and we might not even know how to receive it, but Jesus tells us what it is we need ! He doesn’t leave us orphans to fend for ourselves, He gives us a Comforter, the Holy Spirit to help!
Oh how we need to surrender to God, oh how need to receive The Holy Spirit from above! Apostle Paul writes so passionate about all this, “So I bow in prayer before the Father. Every family in heaven and on earth gets its true name from him. I ask the Father in his great glory to give you the power to be strong in spirit. He will give you that strength through His Spirit.”(Eph. 3:14-16).
Oh Lord that we hear and receive this!”
“I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love.”(Eph 3:17).
“And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love. I pray that you can understand how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is.”(Eph 3:18).
“Christ’s love is greater than any person can ever know. But I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God.” (Eph 3:19).
“With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of .” (Eph 3:20).
In His word we find great things- oh that we make time to glean and read!
These words are from the Living Bible, the words chosen for children to read…
because sometimes we need to hear it simply –
God’s word is to be read! God’s heart yearns for this, “Please!”
He knows we can’t understand, and He knows what we need. He didn’t leave us as orphans. Yes, we can understand His agape love, but only by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus speaks to you and me, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things …(4)
So, is there hope?
There is always hope – “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts,…” Romans 5:5.
“How?” You might ask. “How can the love of God be poured out in our hearts?”
“…by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (5)
What if we don’t have that love and we want the love of God poured out in our hearts?
We need to cry out to the Father in the name of the the Lord Jesus!
Today, and tomorrow and every minute! Breath by breath and step by step:
“Father, empty me of myself and my sin, fill me with You and Your love, and give me O God, the Helper, the Holy Spirit, that I might grow to understand more and more Your love. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Thank you God the Father for sending Your Son, and for hearing my prayers – and giving me understanding and power to experience Your agape love!
(1) 1 John
(2) John 14:18.
(3) Romans 8:30.
(4)John 14:26.
(5).(Romans 5:4)