Because He First Loved Us

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; 

I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.

Psalm 52:8

I've been thinking about the

full and unconditional love of God.

So often we sit in judgement of ourselves and each other.

However, I have been pondering how God responds to us

when we fail.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, 

clothe yourselves with 

compassion, 

kindness,

 humility,

gentleness 

and patience. 

 Bear with each other and forgive one another

 if any of you has a grievance against someone. 

Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Colossians 3:11-13 

And then how we should relate to each other.

Not so easy sometimes 

when our emotions are 

involved.

None of us are perfect.

The Bible is very clear about how we are to 

relate (or not) to a Believer living in outright and defiant sin

but so often the things we choose to pick on 

and point out are just differences in conviction

or preference.

Sometimes we hurt one another.

Yep!  It truly happens.

I'm guilty as the next guy to opening my mouth and 

allowing self righteous judgements to spew forth.

Horrible consequences usually follow as relationships have 

to be renewed and trust has to be rebuilt.

But how are we to relate if we are the one offended?

Just as it says in that last phrase of Colossians 3:13....

Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

to the praise of his glorious grace, 

which he has freely given us in the One he loves.  

 In him we have redemption through his blood, 

the forgiveness of sins, in accordance 

with the riches of God’s grace  that he 

lavished on us. 

With all wisdom and understanding,

Ephesians 1:6-8

Pastor Mike gave us a mental picture years and years

ago that has stuck in my mind.

It was of Judgement Day.

As each of the redeemed pass by the great Judge

we are hiding deeply in the robe of our 

Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Just burrowed in as deeply as we can get

to as not to be seen for ourselves.

That is truth.

There is nothing in ourselves making us worthy.

It is ALL Him.

It is Christ the Father sees when He looks 

at us.  Christ the sacrificial lamb and 

perfect one. 

 Therefore it makes sense when the Bible says

we should then forgive our offenders with 

grace if we have experienced it so personally.

Not easy.

Just necessary.