I will never stop loving you !

I remember saying to my children, "There is nothing you can do that will stop me from loving you". Years later, reflecting on his reaction to my words, my son explained that he felt underserving of such love when he was not behaving as he should. His feelings, at that young age, echo the feelings of so many people who feel that love must be earned. My son learned that our love for him was reflective of God's unconditional love. He learned the he is loved because he is our child not because of what he does.

It is easy to love our children when they live up to our expectations but distressingly easy to hold back our love and approval when they fail to measure up. Doctor James Dobson of "Focus on the Family" teaches that parents must deal with the poor behaviour of their children without crushing their spirits. We must never attack their self-worth by saying or indicating that they are stupid, worthless, or unlovable. Crushing others with our words is one of those "diabolical sins", referred to by C.S. Lewis, that makes offenses like prostitution or theft appear to be minor issues in comparison. Lewis suggests that prostitutes may be closer to heaven than the self-righteous prigs who attend church every Sunday.

God never stops loving us. In 2nd Chronicles, Chapter 28, He sends his prophet to the "underserving" people of Israel to convince them to free their equally "underserving" brothers from the tribe of Judah, whom they have taken captive.

It is foretold in Revelation, Chapter 14, that God will continue to declare his love right up to the end of this age. He will send an angel to preach the everlasting good news to every nation, tribe, and tongue. Another angel will annouce the fall of Babylon - the broken world system established by those who reject God and drag many down with them. A third angel will give warning that worship of the beast will lead to the same destiny as the beast itself. God has sent, and continues to send, repeated warnings because he loves us. How many times, if you are a parent, do you warn your children before you finally lower the boom? Many criticize God as harsh and judgmental but we see, in both the Old & New Testaments, a God who is forebearing, tolerant, and forgiving. He pursues and reaches out to those He loves even though it is undeserved. How many parents exhibit this kind of patience, mercy and love? Lamentations 3:22 & 23 says, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is His faithfullness!

In Zechariah, Chapter 10 there is further evidence that God is the same in both the Old and the New Testaments. He desires salvation for the tribes of Israel and Judah. He says it will be as though He never cast them aside. He will hear them and they will rejoice. Approximately 500 years before Jesus' birth it is Zechariah who prophesies that God will visit His flock. The cornerstone, the tent peg of His salvation will come from the tribe of Judah.

In Chapter 13 of John's Gospel we receive further confirmation of God's perfect love:

a) God-the-Son washes the disciples feet. He is both our Lord and our servant!
b) Jesus loves even those who deny and betray Him such as Peter and Judas.
c) Jesus holds up His own example of selfless love as the kind of love we should have for one another.

My response to His grace, forgiveness, and mercy is summed up with the words from an early Beatles song, "With a love like that I know I should be glad!"