sufficiently sustainable, 

remarkably unfailing 

and unchangeably constant towards each of us.

I cry when I begin to grasp the heart of my Father, Who loves me so intensely. Sacrificially. Wholly. It breaks me. Utterly and completely breaks me. This love is directed toward me from the Creator of the universe. The God Who spoke existence with one word and breathed life into man, yet sacrificed His own Son to to save us.

Romans 11:34 says, “For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counsellor?” 

We marvel at the love of God, and have always struggled to understand Him. But in our struggles to comprehend, we can be tempted to deviate from who God really is and create a god we can better understand.

In many ways, we’ve made God appear as if He’s this loving God who stands by, watching us make our own choices. He is a good God, so how could He allow anyone to go to hell? We see Him only as a loving father who simply holds out his arms waiting to forgive, lavishly pouring his love upon all who need deep, healing love.

My friend, God is a loving Father. He does show His mercy and grace and forgiveness. But let’s not limit God or put Him in a box. God is MUCH more than how many people are portraying Him to be. When I read God’s word, I see a God who is active in people’s lives. He is a good God, but He also clearly establishes boundaries and gives consequences for wrong choices. Jesus loved deeply while clearly addressing wrong motives and actions.

Yes, God does love you and I. But He also expects us to love and obey Him.

“If anyone loves me (Jesus), he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” (John 14:23)

When we see ourselves as we should, we will have a healthy sense of “fear” toward our Holy God. My friend, everyone who comes into the presence of God becomes starkly aware of their own sinfulness and God’s holiness. To portray God and our humanness in any other way is blasphemy.

Haven’t you noticed the message that’s bombarding us from all sides? It’s the message that love is all that’s needed. That if we “love” others, we won’t disagree with them. We will tolerate their behavior. As if that’s true love! Jesus always showed love, but He also addressed the wrong in a person’s heart or behavior.

My friend, God is a just God. The choices we make determine our destiny. If we choose to live apart from God during our life, He does not force us to be with Him. We make the choice, but it is a choice we cannot change once we die. No matter how much He loves us.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matt. 7:21-23)

We’ve counseled with couples and individuals who’ve faced infidelity in their marriages. It would be devastating if we’d take this same wrong approach to love within a marriage. Loving actions and complete forgiveness cannot be emphasized without true repentance and faithfulness on the part of the unfaithful partner. Even common sense tells us that.

God compares His relationship with us as similar to an earthly marriage. Now I know it might be painful to think about, but let’s suppose you find out that your spouse (or future spouse) has been unfaithful. You both go to counseling, and in the session, the counselor impresses on you the importance of unconditionally loving and accepting your spouse. So you strive to do just that…but your spouse continues to commit adultery, while expecting and basking in your committed love. We’d say something is wrong with this picture!

Yes, you should be encouraged to love and forgive your unfaithful spouse, but true restoration doesn’t occur unless your spouse shows genuine repentance and brokenness. Their wrong choices need to be addressed. It creates an abusive situation if that part is not dealt with. When we expect one spouse’s love to cover the other spouse’s wrong, we create deeper havoc and pain.

My friend, how can we be okay with basking in the love of our God without dealing with our sin issues? Just as a spouse demonstrates repentance by actions, so we demonstrate our love for God with our actions. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.”1 John 5:3

I love my daughters. I would give my life for each of them. And my little girls love me. But sometimes, they are obedient because they know there will be consequences if they do not. This doesn’t mean our relationship is based on fear. The same is true in our relationship with God.

Satan is very busy. He’s come as an “angel of light.” Which means he won’t try to deceive God’s children in big ways. The most dangerous way Satan deceives us is by bringing an unbalanced view of God.

When God’s love trumps all His other attributes, everything is acceptable. When God’s love is greater than His justice, why shouldn’t I just do what I want?

I don’t want my little girls running into the street. I want them to obey because they love me, but if they’re spared from being hit by a truck because they’re afraid of the consequences, I’m okay with that. I continue to try to help them understand my heart. I know if they could only see the bigger picture, they’d want to obey. And they’d love me in a greater way for establishing these consequences.

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;” Ps. 103:11

God’s love is often portrayed in a dangerous light. Not because of His doings, but because of how we twist it. Why is it becoming hard for us to discern what is right and what is wrong? Could it be that we no longer study the “real thing?” Is it because we’re skimming God’s word much like we do social media? What would happen if we’d read God’s word the same amount of time we spent online?

God’s love, mercy, and grace is never dangerous, unless it’s not balanced with His holiness and justice. When we don’t tell both sides of the story, we become guilty of creating a god we can understand rather than the God of the Bible. Remember, a half truth is more deceptive than a lie.

~Cindy (For The Mullett Family)