Unconditional love and abounding grace

Good morning, everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Be gracious, even when others aren’t”

Our Bible verse for today: “But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him.” Luke 15:20 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Unconditional love and abounding in grace”

We have a distorted understanding of God. Truth be known, most of us see God as a stern disciplinarian who is monitoring our behavior, taking notes, and meting out punishment. That at least, is the most common perception of who He is and what He is like. Of course, we say things like “God is love” and “He is merciful”, and in our head we know that’s true, but still, deep down, there’s this lingering concern that we have to perform well in order to please Him and if we don’t … well, it could get painful.

The idea that God is exceedingly gracious and that His love comes to us abundantly and freely without condition, goes against our human nature. That’s why every major religious system except Christianity is performance based. The Buddhists have their eight-fold plan, the Hindus have their doctrine of Karma, the Jews have the Mosaic Law, and the Muslims have a very strict code of conduct. Only Christianity is based upon an understanding of God’s unconditional love and abounding grace. And yet, we still struggle with it.

To help us in our struggle God has infused the New Testament with multiple illustrations of how much He loves us and of how eager He is to forgive us. Luke chapter fifteen is a showcase of God’s unconditional love and abundant graciousness. In that chapter we read the story of a shepherd who is overcome with joy after having found his lost sheep (that’s how God felt when He recovered you). We also read about a woman who lost a valuable coin but then rejoiced when she found it (you are the valuable thing that was found by God). And then of course we read about the wayward son who left home and wandered off into the world. In Luke 15:20 we’re given a picture of the son finally coming home to the father, and the dignified father being so overcome with joy that he gathers up the folds of his robe, runs down the dusty road, and tearfully embraces his son who has now come home.

The intent of those illustrations is to help you understand that you are incredibly valuable to God. He loves you more than you can ever know. He hurts when you hurt, He grieves when you wander, and He rejoices when you come home to Him.

That’s not a picture of a stern celestial disciplinarian. Instead, it’s a picture of a heavenly Father who is the very definition of love and graciousness. God is exceedingly gracious and He wants you to know that about Him. That’s why He packed the New Testament full of such illustrations.

I encourage you to spend some extra time this morning meditating on the great truth of how much He loves you, how important you are to Him, and how much joy you bring to Him.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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