A turning point - God's love

Recently, I posted a well-known Christian hymn, "O, the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus," as a meditation for us. The story of that hymn, like so many old, familiar songs, is an inspiring one.

The author of the hymn, Samuel Trevor Francis, was an influential London merchant who was a very active layperson. He led a remarkable life of service for the Lord, in that during his own lifetime he heard his songs and melodies sung by congregations in many lands of the earth.

As a teenager contemplating suicide while standing on a bridge spanning the Thames, Francis had a turning point moment -- it seemed to him as if someone asked him, "You do believe on the Lord Jesus Christ?" At once he proclaimed "I do believe!" and it changed his life. He experienced a renewal of faith and of meaning in his life, and he became known as a lay preacher and helper in revivals.

Reading this about the hymn-writer made me think of Paul's words to the Ephesians:

...so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:17-19)

Personally, I have a hard time grasping the dimensions of God's great love for us sinners. But the scriptures say we are to grow in our awareness of His love. I know with head knowledge that love is the very essence of God -- not just for the lovely but also for the vilest of sinners. When I think of my sins, I am amazed at His love.  If the New Testament teaches me anything, it teaches about God's love in searching for the lost; it teaches me that all we must do is stop running from His loving pursuit.

As I grow in faith, I realize more and more that everything that comes my way is an opportunity for God's love to be more evident in my life. He commanded us to love one another even as He loves us.
How?
First, His love is unmerited . . .

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  (Ephesians 2:4-7)

Even when we are sinners, even when we reject Him, even when we disobey Him, God STILL loves us. In our own tiny, mortal way, we try to hang our hats on it and define it -- we call it "grace." That grace, that unmerited love is given to us who don't deserve it. It can change us into new creations! As undeserving sinners, we were in depravity until He reached down and lifted us up; He poured out His grace into each of us.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit,    out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock    and gave me a firm place to stand. (Psalm 40:2)

We show this love to others when we bless them with grace and forgiveness, even when they don't ask us for it. We are showing evidence of His love in our lives.
God's love is also unlimited . . .

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. (Luke 23:34)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  (John 3:16-17)

I expect that many, if not all, of us have heard a speaker say that if we were the only sinner on earth, Christ would still have died on the cross for us, and risen to intercede for us in heaven. God's love is unlimited - no matter what we have done, no matter what we have said or thought, He gave His only Son -- He did not withhold the best.  "God so loved the world." It's not an impersonal, dry statement of fact. It's the biggest and dearest valentine ever.

I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. (Jonah 4:2b)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods.His love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords:His love endures forever. (Psalm 136:1-3)

Unmerited, unlimited love. How many times should we forgive someone? How many times must we smile and trudge on after insults? How many times are we to show love to the unlovely?

Lord, help us to reflect and project your unmerited and unlimited love to everyone that we come in contact with - each and every day!