Love runs deep - Series #3

Love runs deep - Series #3

In the past two weeks we've discussed the virtues of love and how faith works by love. That's Jesus' words not mine. But there is more. When Jesus died on the cross, He greatly ramped up His definition of love. His death on the cross went beyond anything we can imagine. But there is more than just the cross. It was not just the cross, but the resurrection that changed the world forever.

What Jesus did on the cross took care of everything we would need to have a relationship with God and receive eternal life...a life that would live on forever after this life. What Jesus did on cross provided, not just forgiveness but everything that pertains to life and death. In Acts 16:30-31, the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas, "Sirs what can I do to be saved?" They didn't say, "Beg and pray". They simply said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved". He's already done all he's going to do and now it's up to us to believe. There is no greater sacrifice. There's nothing else He can do and now it's up to us to believe. Still there is more. There is the resurrection. Without the resurrection (what we celebrate on Easter), we'd have nothing concrete to hold onto.

I remember where He says, "he that believes has everlasting life" (John 3:36). Another place He said unbelief is one of the things that keep people out of heaven. The heart of belief is what gets the attention of God. No amount of crying and begging has the power that belief has. It was God's deep-running love on the cross and His ultimate resurrection that provided us a way of redemption.

"In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:10). God's love is everywhere and although that doesn't mean there is no pain and suffering, it does mean He's made a way to get us through. He never leaves. He never forsakes.

It's no secret that everything from humans to plants thrive when exposed to being loved. It's a fundamental need that helps us connect and feel like we belong. Love fulfills and enriches our lives. It contributing to our overall well-being and even our physical health. It can heal the broken hearted. Thanks to Jesus, His love is available to all of us. We just have to belief.

We have no trouble encouraging children to believe in the bunny rabbit that brings treats on Easter or Santa Claus who leaves presents on Christmas, so why is it so hard to encourage children to believe on something authentic and real? Jesus is the way, the only way, and his deep-running love is available under one condition: belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.