I’ve been thinking about a verse in the Bible lately that I have known for years.  I have read it so many times that I have it memorized.  I have shared this verse many times in teachings over the years.

But lately, I have been thinking a lot about it; I’ve been considering just how overwhelming the message really is.  And, in considering what it says, I am almost lost for words.

The verse is found in the book of Romans.  Romans is part of the section known as the Church Epistles. These nine epistles contain specific information given to those who are born again.  Most of what you read in them is directed to the children of God, those who are saved.

It is in these Church Epistles that one discovers what God has given to those who accept His Son, Jesus, as lord and believe that God indeed raised him from the dead.  By acknowledging Jesus as lord (meaning he is lord of all men) and believing that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.

The Bible is very clear that eternal life is a gift; salvation is by God’s grace. This means no one could ever obtain it by themselves.  It is the completed work of Christ who made eternal life and salvation, available, and, for anyone to become a child of God.

Who Are You?

In these same Church Epistles that we discover who we really are in God’s eyes, who He has made us to be.  We find out that He made us righteous, which means we are right in His sight.  We are accepted by God; we have been forgiven. We are holy and without blame; we have been given all spiritual blessings.  And, there is a lot more!

Far too many people base their self worth on what others think of them.  They spend their whole lives trying to please anyone and everyone around them.  Too many people base their self image on the opinions of others.

Wouldn’t it be great if we decided to think of ourselves as God thinks of us?  I’m talking about what you read in those epistles, not what some people propound.  God is not angry and disgusted with you. Because of what Jesus Christ accomplished, He made you righteous in His eyes; He loves you.

He Loves You!

That’s my point.  God loves you, unconditionally and without reservation.  The verse in Romans 8 that I have been pondering the last few days is just astounding.  After listing everything possible that could be considered, God tells us that there is nothing that “shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

That is why I said that God loves you, unconditionally and without reservation.  His love for you does not get any greater for you when you do something good.  He doesn’t love you any less when you fall short.  His love for you remains constant and certain.

We all know that we don’t deserve His love, and that we could never do enough to obtain His love.  Yet, He loves us. He loves you and He loves me, and that does not change, ever!

Why Do We Love God?

We don’t love God so that He will love us back.  The Bible says that we love Him because He first loved us.  The more we think about and focus on God’s unconditional and unchanging love for us, the more we cannot help but to love Him back.

The more we see who He has really made us to be, because of His great unchanging love, the more we can begin to accept and believe who we really are.  And, as we grow in that acceptance, we will grow in our genuine love for others.

Nothing can separate you from the love of God.  Nothing? Really?  Nothing!

Mike Verdicchio
2012

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The Love Of God Part 1
The Love Of God Part 2
Are You Righteous In His Eyes?

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