Day 7: Isn’t the God We Worship a God of Love?
MAIN SCRIPTURE: 1 John 4:8 (NLT) 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
DEVOTIONAL:
Indeed, the God we worship is a God of love. The Bible is very clear that God is deeply loving, merciful, and gracious (Psalm 103:8). It tells us of a God whose love is so vast that He gave His only Son for our salvation (John 3:16), showing us love in a tangible way (1 John 4:9). Indeed, God is love (1 John 4:16).
But God's love isn't just about feeling good. It's like a parent's love. Parents love their kids, right? But that doesn't mean they let their kids do whatever they want. They say 'no' to sweets for dinner or running across the street without looking because they want their kids to be healthy and safe. God's love is like that. He wants the best for us, and sometimes that means He has to guide us away from things that aren't good for us, even things we might think we really want.
Also, it's important to understand that God's love doesn't cancel out His other qualities. The Bible teaches us that God is also just, holy, and true to His Word. These aren't just parts of God; they are who God is at His very core. We can't pick and choose God's attributes according to what we find most appealing or comforting.
When Jesus walked the earth, He embodied God's love, but His love was not a blanket approval of every action. He showed us that true love involves wanting the best for others, and sometimes that means saying 'no' to behaviours and practices that are harmful or lead away from God. For example, in Revelation, the church in Thyatira is commended for their love and service but rebuked for tolerating false teachings and immoral behaviour (Revelation 2:20). Love doesn't just affirm; it also corrects.
In the ongoing debates about homosexuality, Christians are called to hold onto the truth of Scripture while still extending Christ's love to everyone. This can be challenging, especially in a world where ideas about love and tolerance are often shaped more by culture than by the Bible. It's not about being judgmental or harsh, but about remaining faithful to what God has shown us is best for our lives. We must love genuinely, but we also must not diverge from the truth.
So, how do we respond to the question of homosexuality within the context of God's love? By remembering that God's love reaches out to everyone, but it also transforms us. It doesn't leave us as we are; it helps us to grow and change according to His will. This means lovingly speaking the truth and living according to God's design for us, as revealed in the Scriptures.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Your love is perfect and unfailing. It challenges us, comforts us, and guides us. Help us to understand Your love not as mere acceptance, but as a transformative power that calls us to live according to Your will. Grant us the wisdom to navigate difficult issues with a spirit of truth and compassion, reflecting Your love in all that we do. May we be instruments of Your love, speaking the truth with kindness and living as testimonies of Your grace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.