Every now and then everyone and I mean everyone has those moments of self-doubt. Just like everyone else I too get down on myself and start to wonder what the heck is going on. Is it me? Is it God telling me to wait on Him? Is it satan blocking me? Who knows. You get the point.
However today as I was walking to the end of the drive to get the trash cans I was berating myself wondering why I had not found a job. I even called myself worthless. But The answer to that jumped right into my mind " I am not worthless Christ died for me."
That of course started me thinking, As usual I started realizing that if I could think these things then there are lots of others who also do.
We always sit alone in our quiet moments and wonder who could love us, who could possibly want to be with us.
The truth of the matter is God does love us. Even in those moments when we are at our most unlovable, our most despicable, selfish, self-centered, self-pitying worst. God knows us, He knows our heart, He knows what we are going to do and want we wish we would have done.
1 John 4:9-11King James Version (KJV)
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
That word propitiation is the key element here.
"Propitiation means the turning away of wrath by an offering. In relation to soteriology, propitiation means placating or satisfying the wrath of God by the atoning sacrifice of Christ." Charles C. Ryrie (1999-01-11).
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
However today as I was walking to the end of the drive to get the trash cans I was berating myself wondering why I had not found a job. I even called myself worthless. But The answer to that jumped right into my mind " I am not worthless Christ died for me."
That of course started me thinking, As usual I started realizing that if I could think these things then there are lots of others who also do.
We always sit alone in our quiet moments and wonder who could love us, who could possibly want to be with us.
The truth of the matter is God does love us. Even in those moments when we are at our most unlovable, our most despicable, selfish, self-centered, self-pitying worst. God knows us, He knows our heart, He knows what we are going to do and want we wish we would have done.
1 John 4:9-11King James Version (KJV)
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
That word propitiation is the key element here.
"Propitiation means the turning away of wrath by an offering. In relation to soteriology, propitiation means placating or satisfying the wrath of God by the atoning sacrifice of Christ." Charles C. Ryrie (1999-01-11).
Basically Christ paid the price for our sins. He stood in man's place and took God's wrath and placed it on Himself so that we do not have to face it. We are forgiven of our sins by God thanks to the sacrifice Christ gave - Himself. To receive that forgiveness and to be accepted into the Kingdom of God all you have to do is ask. There is no formula or magic words, God sees the intent and the heart.
No matter who you are, where you are, what you have done, are doing, might do He loves you. God loves you and wants the best for you. He wants you to have life and to have it more abundantly. All you have to do is ask.
I always liken this love to a far less pure love but a definite and true love nonetheless. I love my kids, no matter what they do, where they go, I love them. As a father I would do anything for them. If they make a mistake, or go down the wrong road I will still love them and will support them and help them find their way back. I want them to have the best and not to struggle as I do, but I also know they must learn from their mistakes, and pay for their actions whether good or bad. I can hold their hand as they go through trials but I can not remove the consequences of their actions.
God is the same. He loves us purely, unconditionally but we still must live our lives. We will make mistakes, we will fall from grace but never will we leave His Family.
I always liken this love to a far less pure love but a definite and true love nonetheless. I love my kids, no matter what they do, where they go, I love them. As a father I would do anything for them. If they make a mistake, or go down the wrong road I will still love them and will support them and help them find their way back. I want them to have the best and not to struggle as I do, but I also know they must learn from their mistakes, and pay for their actions whether good or bad. I can hold their hand as they go through trials but I can not remove the consequences of their actions.
God is the same. He loves us purely, unconditionally but we still must live our lives. We will make mistakes, we will fall from grace but never will we leave His Family.
By the same token this is exactly why God will not forgive the rejection of His Son. His Son paid a terrible price on the cross, He gave Himself for a world of sinners. Sinners who would revile Him and His people. A world where good is not the normal state of things.
Christ took off His robes in Glory, Left His home and came here to die in our stead. Why? Because He loved His creation.
1 Peter 2:23-25King James Version (KJV)
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Christ took our pain and punishment unto Himself. He paid the ultimate price for us. If that is the case and He died for each and every sinner then how can we possibly be worthless? If we are worthless then why does God the creator of the Universe know the very number of hairs on our heads?
Matthew 10:29-31King James Version (KJV)
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
That fact coupled with the Love of God, the Death of Christ for each and everyone of us should be sufficient to convince you that you are not Worthless.
You are priceless in God's eyes.
So the next time you or someone else calls you worthless, satan starts attacking, self-doubts arise, just remember God gave His best for you before you even were.
God loves you with an all encompassing love that is faithful and true.
God would not have sent His all, His best if you were not worth it.
Remember that Christ loved you so much that he stretched out His arms and died for you.
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