“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
1 John 3:1
There was no one waiting for me the day I got out of prison. Even so, my heart swelled with joy and my eyes filled with tears as other wives, children, mothers, fathers, and siblings rushed into the arms of those being released with me.
The outpouring of love I saw that day pales in comparison to the love of God. The Father’s love is so great that He sent Jesus to die for us when we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). His Spirit made us alive while we remained “dead in trespasses and sins” (vv. 1, 4). In Christ, we’ve been brought into the very throne room of God in heaven (v. 6)!
God’s love becomes visible in the church, the “household of God” (v. 19). You’ll feel it the more you are connected to a congregation. After my release, I was welcomed into the church of Jesus by my new spiritual family. They didn’t see a man with a criminal record. They didn’t see a man without a job. They didn’t see a man with tattoos. They saw a brother in the Lord. The wondrous love of God flowing out through His people covers over a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).
The outpouring of love I saw that day pales in comparison to the love of God. The Father’s love is so great that He sent Jesus to die for us when we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). His Spirit made us alive while we remained “dead in trespasses and sins” (vv. 1, 4). In Christ, we’ve been brought into the very throne room of God in heaven (v. 6)!
God’s love becomes visible in the church, the “household of God” (v. 19). You’ll feel it the more you are connected to a congregation. After my release, I was welcomed into the church of Jesus by my new spiritual family. They didn’t see a man with a criminal record. They didn’t see a man without a job. They didn’t see a man with tattoos. They saw a brother in the Lord. The wondrous love of God flowing out through His people covers over a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).
Scripture Focus
Ephesians 2:4-22
Insight
God’s children will have all eternity to contemplate the “incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in ChristJesus” (Ephesians 2:7).
Bible In A Year
- Leviticus 19-20
- Psalm 56
- Luke 20
