Acceptable? Yes. Desirable? Sometimes. Treasured? Never before.
Refused. Discarded. Unloved. Why?
CONDITIONAL LOVE
Relationship built on a faulty foundation, and all attempts to let God in and repair it were met with resistance. Enemy? Pride? Marriage takes two.
Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:19, 22-23, 25-26 NIV
Unlovable? Of course not. Every human ever created is born from love, and is therefore worthy of being loved.
How do we know what love is when it has always been displayed as conditional by man?
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. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first. If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both. 1 John 4:17-21 MSG
Is love confusing? No. Love is straightforward. God is love, and his way is truthful.
Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things. Therefore, do not become their partners. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light — for the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth — testing what is pleasing to the Lord. Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. Everything exposed by the light is made visible, for what makes everything visible is light. Therefore it is said: Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Ephesians 5:6-14 CSB
Acceptable? Chosen. Desirable? To the core of our soul. Treasured? Like a child of the King.
Unrefusable. Saved. Adored. Why?
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
Given freely, unconfusing, pure, agenda-free, unexpected, unearned.
Once I learned how to receive God’s limitless love wrapped in mercy and grace, I was suddenly able to give and receive love with ease. Love is simple and good now, because now I know God!
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8 NIV
As long as we are living, there is hope for a completely new life in Christ! Transformation is one of God’s super powers, and we humans are his handiwork.
TRANSFORMED IN CHRIST
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:20-21 NIV
I AM SO THANKFUL FOR TRANSFORMATION AND SECOND CHANCES!!!
(Originally published by Steph on Medium.com on May 11, 2023)