Grace? What's That?: Devotions from Time of GraceSample

Trinity at work: The Father wants you back

One of the aspects of God’s ways that people have trouble understanding and accepting is his unconditional love.

It’s because there is no parallel in human behavior. Our forgiveness toward each other is hesitant, grudging, fingers-crossed, partial, and often just part of a ploy to get something we want. Often it is not forgiveness at all, and we bring up old sins all over again to use for leverage with other sinners.

Guilt is a terrible slave master. It keeps us afraid, making excuses, bargaining frantically, and ultimately giving up in despair. But get this--God’s love for you is based not on your performance or accumulated merit. It is based on his decision to love you no matter what. Jesus told a splendid story of a father with an aching heart to illustrate the way God forgives: “But while he [the prodigal son] was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him” (Luke 15:20).

This is the message of the gospel--that God loves sinners for Jesus’ sake and forgives them while still sinners, i.e., before they’ve been cleaned up. Let that unconditional love comfort your guilty heart. Let that unconditional love release worship from your heart and lips. Let that unconditional love fuel a new attitude and new life each day.