But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for the ungodly." Romans 5-8
Its Christmas! Who wants to hear about doom and gloom... At first appearences this scripture may seem like its about doom and gloom, but it really is about love.
"For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
Love for God is a relationship. It takes a few times or more... of God showing up in our time of need for us to understand how much He loves us, in this life, right now.
When I was six and about to physically die at the hands of my abuser, I had a " but God" moment. "But God ( aka the man in the sky) did this and saved me. " I silently aknowledged that in a child like way and thanked Him in my heart.
I had a good many "But God" moments as a young adult that kind of really made me go "hmmmm." I was growing mentally and spiritually, although not as much as I thought I had.
Most of my "But God" moments were as an adult. They changed my life, because they changed me! There was the moment I got saved in 1996; The Holy Spirit revealed my sin to me, all of it! I was in a near panic when I understood how much I sinned against God. But God revealed my Savior and Friend. , Yeshua, to me. He said , "Why do you always setle for less than the forgiven life I can give you? Thats when I recognised my sweet Savior. He wasn't saying " You bad girl, " full of condemnation as I expected Him too. No instead He pointed out that there were some things in my life that were hindering is from being in relationship eith each other. I surrendered my life right there to Jesus and adked Him to forgive me for my many sins. He did. He made H i s promise in the shedding of His blood . He paid His life for us. Now I live for Him.
Finally there was the "But God" moment when I understood that I was not only loved by God in Jesus, but I and all His people are beloved to Him as we trust, in Him and His goodness to us.
It says in His word, "As those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12
Wait, Did He say chosen, holy AND beloved? You see all those "But God" moments point to One... Jesus Christ, Yeshua the Messiah, Emmanuel -God with us. and what is our response? Christian ministries to others in need, to help all prople and tell them sbout what The Lord has done for them. We don't do "works". , we live for God because He died for us.
All those "But God" moments lead up to; "God so loved the world, He gave His only Son..."
There is never a time when God reveals His heart, that we aren't changed. Sometimes just a little bit, most times a lot of bit! God's living word has a way of doing that!
What is your "But God" story? How can you share it with someone this Christmas and help them move from "loved" to "beloved" by putting thier trust in Yeshua Messiah today!
Merry Christmas!
JESUS is the best Gift!
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