“By this the love of God was revealed in us, that God has sent His only Son into the world so that we may live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
This passage reminds me of the movie Avatar… where the disabled guy is put into an apparatus that transforms him and gives him incredible strength and speed. This new entity looks enough like him that he is recognizable… but he is changed.
Along those same lines, today’s passage illustrates two important truths.
First, we are loved by God. We flippantly make that statement too often, but it should drive us to our knees. The Master Designer and Creator of the Universe not only knows you… He loves you. For that reason, He rescued you from your sin. Not because you loved Him, or were loveable… You were His enemy, living in open rebellion…still He chose you, redeemed you, and paid your debt. Accepting that payment transforms you into His beloved child.
Is that what you see when you look in the mirror? … Or do you still cling to the lie that you need to improve before you can be loved? You were created in the image of the perfect God, nothing else in all creation can make that claim. You are a self-portrait of your Father and He has undeniably proven His love for you.
The second truth is, that like the avatar, we are transformed. It is no longer I living, but Christ lives through me…So my crippled heart can become strong and powerful. We are given the ability to love like Jesus did… We are new creatures with amazing abilities. Have you acknowledged that change, or are you still spiritually crippled? Do you stubbornly cling to your old disabilities when God has powerfully transformed you?
Those who dwell with God can rest in His shadow… Since you are loved and protected by The Lord, is there anything you should be anxious about? Take the abilities God has given you and rescue others who are still wounded and lost. Embrace the priceless gifts God has bestowed on you and enjoy the powerful abundant life He created you to live.
“We want to change our circumstances. God wants to change us.”
- Rick Warren
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