The Verdict Is In
Jennifer Cole
“…God is love.” 1 John 4:8, AMPC
I grew up thinking God was a harsh judge. I just knew He was watching from heaven and ready to bop me the minute I got out of line. I don’t remember anyone telling me these things - it’s just the concept I had. It took many years to get my mind renewed and my heart responsive to the truth of who God is, as revealed in His Word. Through Jesus, the Father has revealed Himself as a God of love, mercy, kindness, patience and goodness!
How about you? What’s your view of God? I’ve discovered that many people have difficulty seeing and experiencing our Father as who He truly is - love. There are probably many reasons for this – childhood experiences, your upbringing, etc. – not to mention that we have an enemy, the devil, who works overtime as the accuser of God. The enemy wants to separate us from the Lord, so he tries his hardest to convince us that the Lord is mad at us, disappointed with us, angry towards us and thinking lowly of us.
The truth is: God is not the harsh, angry, mean judge and taskmaster that we’ve believed Him to be. On the contrary! The verdict is in - God is LOVE!
God is everything love is. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love keeps no record of wrong. Love believes the best. Love never fails. (Read 1 Corinthians 13 for a refresher on what love is - our Father is all of that and more!) God is kind. He is rich in mercy. He is gracious. He is patient. He is good.
Someone might say, “Yeah, but what about the judgment side of God? God hates sin, you know?” When Jesus died on the cross for us, He took our place and experienced the judgment for sin, on our behalf. Therefore, those who believe, receive and follow Jesus can look forward to goodness and mercy following them all the days of their lives!
Say This: “Father, I believe You are love. Because of the cross of Jesus Christ, I am able to receive Your love towards me on a daily basis. I pray that You help me experience the length, breadth, depth and height of your love for me. I love You because You first loved me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”