March 19, 2009
“God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on judgment Day — our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s.” 1 John 4:17 The Message
God is …
Love … Inexhaustible … Indefatigable … Indwelling. Jesus was abused .. tortured .. prosecuted .. slaughtered .. and feared because He loved with purpose .. with mission .. with extravagance. He loved so deeply and extravagantly that He threatened every government on earth … every ruler … every person of power with the uncensored love of God. He still does today. He wants to love like that in you. He loved the discarded and damaged people. He still loves this way today. He wants to love like that in you. He didn’t fear what would happen inside a man or woman who believed and received the same love that created the earth. He still loves the same way today. He wants to love like that in you. The love of Christ changes a cautious marriage into an intimate romance that changes children and friendships. The love of Christ arms any man or women with the same love Jesus lived 2000 years ago. God is love … an empire toppling love … an addiction delivering love … an intimate indwelling love … an all in love … a healing love for broken – hopeless – exhausted – depressed – and desperate men and women. He wants to love you like that. God’s love is for the hungry .. the thirsty .. the blinded .. the self-centered .. the sin-scarred .. sin-tired .. sin-sick. He loves you like this today … because He gave “everything of himself” so you could know His abiding .. never leaving .. never giving up on you love. And He wants to show the world you live in what His love can do starting with your life. It only takes a moment … and you will be ruined forever …
“Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.” Ephesians 5:2 The Message
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to Freely Loved Followers of Jesus and friends of Priority One (ken@priorityone.org)
