Regardless

        After been rebuked by his mother, a young child remembered that his Sunday School teacher had taught them the previous day that Jesus does not like naughty children. He then asked his mum if Jesus had stopped loving him since he was naughty often and what can he do to make Jesus love him again. The mother squeezed and pressed his little frame to her chest and said: ‘no honey, He loves you regardless’. The child looking confused asked his mum, ‘what is regardless?’ The mother in a loving and gentle voice explained that Jesus loves him no matter what he had done, but went on to explain that Jesus is not happy when we do naughty things. If he knows Jesus loves him, he should strive to do things that will bring pleasure to the heart of Jesus, she continued. You may be like this little child that believes that Jesus Christ may have left your corner after falling into that terrible sin and maybe you have been erroneously taught that once you plunge in deeper into His service and sow consistently and generously you would not feel condemned anymore. And yes, God will return to our corner! Unfortunately, those that walk in this belief, find themselves fall deeper and deeper into the mire of sin and the more they struggle to get out, the more they are sucked right back in, but deeper this time. Don’t be mistaken, it is good to throw ourselves into the service of God, sow consistently and generously in the things of God; but if the end result is to earn our justification, then there’s a big problem. 

          Friend, God loves you first, regardless of what or who you are. When He went to the cross over 2000 years ago, he saw the mess you would be in, yet He chose to still go to the cross and die for you. Yes, you! The Bible tells us in John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”. Not because of what you had done but because of what you are created and destined to be: “For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will, to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:4-6). 

         Friend, no matter the whispering in your ears, God loves you regardless, but He is not pleased with your sin. Thus, you have the strength, because of His love, to kick aside the habit, attitudes that negate His word and grace over your life, and live a life that is worthy of His love for you. After all, if we declare we love Him, we must show it by shunning every appearance of evil and living our lives as a worthy and beautiful sacrifice to Him. Don’t let the enemy tie you down with accusations and lies, but understand this: God loves you regardless! If you desire to take up the issue with Him now, then join me to pray this prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to you just as I am. I believe You died for me and You love me. I ask that You forgive my sin. I receive the strength and grace in Your love to live a life worthy of You. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus Christ name, Amen. May God bless you as you walk in His freedom!