God Is Love

God the Father is not a bean counter who weighs our good deeds against our bad, thereby deciding whether we go to heaven or hell.  Rather, He is a God of love through which He extends His goodness and lovingkindness, “in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”.

Just as parents love their children with unconditional love, not based on their achievements, so the Almighty Father loves us.

That “parental love” is described in the parable of the prodigal son.  A wayward son returned to his father and despite the objections of his brother, his father declared, "My child, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. But it was necessary to be merry and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found." 

A boy seven years old was adopted by his aunt and uncle.  His adoptive parents were farmers who toiled in the fields and orchards to save enough money so he could fulfill his lifelong dream by attending university.

As their teary eyed son left for the university campus, he told his parents he loved them and would repay them for all they had done for him.  But his father said, "There is no need for repayment.  Our only hope is that you will love your own children, the way we love you."

And for those of us who didn’t have the good fortune of being raised by loving parents, let us take comfort in the promise that we can become adoptive sons and daughters of a loving God, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.  And in doing so, we can share that love with those around us.