The Great Love of God

Certain verses in the Bible always make me pause and thank God. Usually these are key verses that remind of God's salvation or God's love or Jesus' sacrifice. Romans 5:8 is all of these things.

I am always struck by the phrase "while we were still sinners." Jesus died for people who were enemies of God. Yes, through His death, He made it possible for people to come to God. But He provided this way for people not even looking for it.

Let's see that verse in its context: 

For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. For rarely will someone die for a just person — though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:6-8

 Paul writes that someone may choose to die for a just person. Someone may choose to give his life for a good cause, a worthy good person. But that's not what Jesus did. He died for the ungodly. He died for those who chose to live in opposition to His Father. He died for us while we were still sinners and before we even had a glimmer of something that wasn't sinning.

The great love of God runs throughout the Bible, through Jesus' life on earth, culminating in the crucifixion and resurrection. Easter is God's love on display.

God's love calls. God's love convicts. God's love provides the faith we need to move from enemies to children of God.

Demolition or Support

Now I know you may find it hard to believe, but I (Scott) like the think about stuff. A lot. Sometimes over and over. And over. Recently I participated in the Overcoming Overthinking Challenge by Jon Acuff, based on his upcoming book Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking. It was great! And it made me think. (Surprise!) [[Note: I am not connected to Jon Acuff in any way. Except as a reader and follower.]

I've been thinking a lot about support and encouragement in regard to our ideas and dreams. Do you know what happens when a friend shares an idea or an accomplishment in a group of young kids? They respond with fascination: "Really? Can you show me how? Tell me what you did!" Kids may share their own experiences: "I did that too!" They give support: "That is really cool!"

How do many adults respond when someone shares an idea? "Good luck with that. Did you think about all these drawbacks that could happen? You're such a dreamer. That won't work. That's nothing new."

Kids offer support. Adults offer dynamite. (Okay, now I sound like Jon. I must have been listening to him too much lately!)

I want to be more kid-like. I hope I can be encouraging and supporting. I hope I can listen with a heart and mind that doesn't immediately demolish fragile starting points with problems and what ifs. Yes, I need to be honest when evaluating an idea - if that's what the person has asked me to do.

I wonder if this is what Jesus meant when he said that we must come to God's kingdom as little children. Children are filled with wonder. They trust and believe. They are ready for any adventure.

We adults are often cynical or doubting or defeated. We see a million ways things won't work or could go wrong. We want the roadmap instead of the journey.

In the preschool world, anything is possible. You try stuff, skin your knee once in a while, and keep at it. But you can't live that way in the adult world. Or can you? Isn't that what living a life of reckless obedience is all about?

[Jesus] said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."  Matthew 18:3