For the Sake of Love

As I sorted through the mail the bill stood out. What happened? I thought this was taken care of. I opened it with hesitation, concerned about what I might find. But there it was in black and white. I had a zero balance. My debt was paid in full. I knew it had come for a reason. I heard His gentle whisper to my heart.

"Your debt is paid, Jewel." "You don't owe a thing."

For years I spent my efforts trying to pay a debt I didn't owe. I was trying to score points with a God who was no longer keeping score. The requirements that should have been placed on me were placed on Jesus. I am free to be. Why didn't I know that? How did I live so long and not know?

We are free to be. For many, the church has ruined this, you know. I read it all over the place. "Do more, give more, pray more, read your Bible more." How does all that fit in with Jesus' words, "It is finished."

What was finished? Was it just Jesus' life and sin? Could it be that what was finished was the separation of man from God's unconditional love? Could it be that there are no more conditions or requirements? Didn't Jesus leave us with the words: "I have made You known to them, and will continue to make You known in order that the love You have for me may be in them and I myself may be in them." (John 17:26) Isn't it really about living in love? If we lived loved wouldn't we do the things we are told to do anyways?

The more I know love, the more I am drawn to know and be with God. Obedience is not the top priority of God. Love is.

Adam and Eve lost sight of God's perfect love when they entered into sin. The path became blocked. But Jesus restored what was lost. He fulfilled the requirements of the law, bridging the cavern between earning and embracing. He now invites us to enter in and be loved. In living as ones who are loved, it will be a natural response to fulfill His story inside us.

When I used to think of the cross all I saw my sins. It was the emphasis after all. I was taught that because I was so bad Jesus had to leave His heavenly home and come to earth to take away my sins. But that's not the truth. "For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son." (John 3:16) It wasn't my sins that took Him to the cross. It was love. He loved me so deeply that He could not bear to have me separated from Him any longer. It was on the cross that He paid the ransom to free me from my captivity to sin. He restored what was once lost.

I love the movie "The Last of the Mohicans". One scene in particular speaks to me. Magua, the enemy is coming after Cora and her sister. He's seeking to kill them because he has an issue with their father. Nathaniel and the Mohicans are with them. He's fallen in love with Cora. Suddenly they discover that their ammunition is wet. In order to save Cora, Nathaniel will have to leave her. He tells her, "stay alive, I will find you." He jumps over the waterfall in order to rescue. It is love that drives Nathaniel forward. The look in His eyes, the passion on His face. He will not be stopped until she is free.

I love that scene because I know that is Jesus with me. He will not be stopped until I am free. My sin was not His focus. I was. My sins separated me from Him. He had to pay their debt in order to get to me.

He came that I might know love. "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." (John 17:23) Papa God has loved me even as He loves Jesus. It's stunning. What will I do with that? Will I question, doubt or believe? It is a life or death question.

He moved heaven and earth to get to me. He gave up His very life, not for the sake of sin, but for the sake of Me. The invitation is extended. We are invited to know how deeply and intimately we are loved.

"I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have drawn you with loving kindness" Jeremiah 31:3

You can find Julie at her blog: Jewelz Sightings