"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love."
Romans 8:38 NLT
Because I love to share my faith through letters...
Romans 8:38 NLT
Because I love to share my faith through letters...
I would often find myself writing to some very broken and emotionally damaged individuals. They consist of men and women who were used and abused and deeply hurt by others. Many of them have been carrying their pain for years. They've also been unable to sustain healthy relationships because of this.
And while most of these individuals have already accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord, which is wonderful, they remain so inwardly damaged and broken that they find it hard to believe that God truly loves them. I underwent this very same thing.
During the first several years after my coming to Messiah Jesus to seek His forgiveness for my sins, which I believe He immediately took away, I did have a difficult time accepting His love for me. I thought myself unworthy of it. I also thought His love was based on the condition that I behave myself. That I go to church regularly, say my prayers, and read my Bible daily, while trying hard not to sin.
It wasn't until approximately three years later when I was instantly set free of that falsehood. This being the lie that God's love was based on my behavior. When in fact He loves His children unconditionally. And it is an everlasting love, as well.
I know from my own past struggles, that in the minds of those who were harmed in some way as a result of whatever bad experiences they may have encountered in life, when it comes to relationships, it's hard to grasp the simplicity and richness of a love that is unconditional.
The idea that Someone can love me as a person, even if I'm behaving badly at the moment, is hard to grasp. However, it's common for those who are uncertain of the Lord's love for them, to begin to say to themselves, "I'm a bad person. I'm always messing up. So how can you tell me that God still loves me?"
I would tell that person, "Well, He does still love you, and He will never stop loving you. It's His nature to love. And while God may discipline you in some way, His feelings for you will always remain unchanged."
Most often though, I will usually encourage those who struggle with doubts about Jesus' love for them, to read Romans 8:35-39 in the New Testament. To make it their business to become very familiar with this priceless passage. For I have used it again and again to encourage myself in God's promise that nothing can separate me from His love. And I likewise invite my friends to do the same.
D.B.
And while most of these individuals have already accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord, which is wonderful, they remain so inwardly damaged and broken that they find it hard to believe that God truly loves them. I underwent this very same thing.
During the first several years after my coming to Messiah Jesus to seek His forgiveness for my sins, which I believe He immediately took away, I did have a difficult time accepting His love for me. I thought myself unworthy of it. I also thought His love was based on the condition that I behave myself. That I go to church regularly, say my prayers, and read my Bible daily, while trying hard not to sin.
It wasn't until approximately three years later when I was instantly set free of that falsehood. This being the lie that God's love was based on my behavior. When in fact He loves His children unconditionally. And it is an everlasting love, as well.
I know from my own past struggles, that in the minds of those who were harmed in some way as a result of whatever bad experiences they may have encountered in life, when it comes to relationships, it's hard to grasp the simplicity and richness of a love that is unconditional.
The idea that Someone can love me as a person, even if I'm behaving badly at the moment, is hard to grasp. However, it's common for those who are uncertain of the Lord's love for them, to begin to say to themselves, "I'm a bad person. I'm always messing up. So how can you tell me that God still loves me?"
I would tell that person, "Well, He does still love you, and He will never stop loving you. It's His nature to love. And while God may discipline you in some way, His feelings for you will always remain unchanged."
Most often though, I will usually encourage those who struggle with doubts about Jesus' love for them, to read Romans 8:35-39 in the New Testament. To make it their business to become very familiar with this priceless passage. For I have used it again and again to encourage myself in God's promise that nothing can separate me from His love. And I likewise invite my friends to do the same.
D.B.
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