Over the past months, I have experienced God’s presence in powerful ways. My kids have been home from college, and the joy of our family together, the challenge of parenting adult children, and the celebration of life through spending time with them has opened anew wonderful insights and expressions of God’s love. Of course, being a huge Christmas fan, the entire season has been spiritually enriching.
And yet, embarrassingly, the most powerful moment for me spiritually came while I was working in my office listening to some Christian music (which, may I say, was neither theologically or musically very well developed). The lyrics of one song noted that God loves us just as we are—BUT, he loves us too much to leave us as we are. Wow! (thought I), what a perfect description of the work of God in our lives—and a perfect description of what I hope to see take place in and through my ministry here at Hebron.
I have a passion to encourage men and women to embrace God’s calling to the Christian life. Evangelism—pointing people to God and His mercy—is one of the great blessings of the Christian: a blessing most of us need to partake of more frequently. When we share the gospel message, we witness and experience all over again God’s mysterious love. Nothing, of course, makes evangelism more difficult than lack of understanding of the basic gospel message—that, through Christ’s sacrifice, God is eager to welcome sinners into His Kingdom, and to welcome them “just as they are.” At Hebron Church, we have the resources (financially, yet even more so, spiritually) to point our friends and neighbors to Christ’s glory. Yet, I wonder if we are using those resources effectively.
The second half of the quote, however, reminds us that God does not intend to, nor will He be satisfied with, leaving us “just as we are.” He loves us too much! As my own children and my marriage grows, I know what it is like to be so overwhelmed with love that I desire nothing more than for my children (and my marriage) to mature. Because of God’s great love, He takes sinful men and women, and moves in their hearts, changing us more and more into His very image.
At Hebron, we recognize that work of God and seek to encourage it in a number of ways—Groves, worship, accountability partners, mission and service opportunities, ministry involvement, and so forth. Over the past year, I have seen some great examples of that life-giving work of Christ—in the fellow believers who worship each week with you! Yet I know that God desires much more here in this church body.
If you are doubtful, know this truth: God loves us just the way we are!
And once loved by Him, know this: He loves you too much to leave you just as you are.
