Things I don't understand #29...

...God's love.
(Admittedly, this topic is probably far too weighty for a place such as this...)
Sitting in church last Sunday listening to the sermon I was struck (finally, some might say) by the gravity of the scripture (Romans 8:31-34) as it relates to this day (Good Friday). It asks, "If God is with us, who can be against us?" My pastor (Dr. Denison) pointed out that the word "If" would probably be more accurately translated to "Since" or "Because". The question is not whether God is for us or not. He is. The question is, "Who can be against us?" In the following verses we are given more evidence of this one-sidedness. He was willing to give up his own Son for us (v. 32). Then another question, "Who will bring any charge?" (v. 33) And even if they did, God is the one who will be judge. And in case we need more convincing of God's bias towards us, Jesus--the one who died for our sins-- will be there pleading our case. How can we lose?

At that moment, I realized that God is continually working on our behalf. Pursuing us. Wishing us well. Despite the fact that at our best we are moderately loyal and adequately faithful(hopefully). That goodness is always a work in progress within us. Despite the fact that we are quite an insufferable lot, God loves us. Loves us so much that on this day, God allowed his only Son to die in our place. I am not a father, but I've yet to find one that didn't have considerable difficulty even conjuring up the idea of allowing his son to die when he had the power to stop it... much less die for one that actually deserved it. God loved me and you so much he not only allowed it but put this plot in motion. So if you question whether God loves you, whether God is for you, today is your proof. We shouldn't need it but we do. In some ways, this might should rank "Good Friday" as the most important of days for us lowly humans. Of course, Sunday(Easter) is pretty big, too. As Paul says, "...if Christ has not been raised,...useless is your faith" (1 Cor. 15:14) But the existence of Good Friday removes all doubt, God loves us. He loves me. He loves you. So Happy Good Friday...and Happy Easter.