This is a truth ground into our heads and hearts from the time we are children to adulthood. We believe that no matter what we do, God will always love us. We believe in a kind and merciful God and yes, He does love us with everything He is. But do we truly love Him?
The Bible reads, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16-17
Yet, on a recent popular television show, this truth was used to celebrate a choice that went directly against God’s Word. We see our world championing choices we know God would never condone and wrapping them in the words, “It’s okay if I do this immoral thing, because God still loves me.”
This should never be.
While God’s love never fails any of us, maybe we should consider this … “Yes, God loves me. But do I love God?”
When we love someone or something, we don’t choose to cause that person pain. We don’t choose to go out and do things that we know would intentionally hurt or fly right in their face.
But so many people who claim God’s love, live in a way that demonstrates a blatant disrespect for Him. The life of a Christian should represent the principles of His Word, a living, breathing testament to the love, faith and hope Jesus provides. Sometimes we all fall short. That just comes with being human. But when we knowingly celebrate the things God has clearly prohibited, then we need to ask ourselves do we truly love Him?
Often times in stories, we write about flawed characters. These imperfections connect with our readers and show their need for God. But if those characters, who choose Christ, were to never change, to never grow, to continue in their sinful lifestyles over the truth of God’s Word, then our story would be a lie.
The same is true in real life. When we ignore righteousness and dismiss sin with the phrase, “It’s okay because God loves me,” we show a lack of love. Our lives will never reach the potential God provides without a conscious effort to follow His principles. Our purpose on earth is to live out our love for Him.
When we truly love God and understand the mercy, forgiveness and peace He provides, then our daily choices will be a reflection of Jesus.
So today, yes, God loves you. Let’s let our lives love Him back.
While God’s love never fails any of us, maybe we should consider this … “Yes, God loves me, but do I love God?” @shannon_redmon @MaryAFelkins #amwriting #love
Shannon Redmon remembers the first grown up book she checked out from the neighborhood book mobile. A Victoria Holt novel with romance, intrigue, dashing gentlemen and ballroom parties captivated her attention. For her mother, the silence must have been a pleasant break from non-stop teenage chatter, but for Shannon, those stories whipped up a desire and passion for writing.
There’s nothing better than the power of a captivating novel, a moving song or zeal for a performance that punches souls with awe. A rainbow displayed after a horrific storm or expansive views on a mountaintop bring nuggets of joy into our lives. Shannon hopes her stories immerse readers into that same kind of amazement, encouraging faith, hope and love, guiding our hearts to the One who created us all.
Shannon’s writing has been published in Spark magazine, Splickety magazine, the Lightning Blog, The Horse of My Dreams compilation book, and the Seriously Write blog. Her stories have been selected as a semi-finalist and finalist of the ACFW Genesis Contest and won first place in the Foundation’s Awards. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. The StoryMoore Blog is named in memory of her father, Donald Eugene Moore.
Connect with Shannon:
www.shannonredmon.com
The StoryMoore Blog
FB: https://www.facebook.com/shannon.redmon
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shannon_redmon @shannon_redmon
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonredmon/
Check out Shannon’s story in a compilation with other authors published by Revell.
