Just Because

Several years ago my sister went through a really hard season in her family and one that went on for a handful of years. When everything first started I was given the nudging to tell her that I loved her, just because. It was my way of saying that I loved her because she was my sister and for no other reason. I didn’t love her because of what she brought to the table, what she didn’t do, what she may do, or what she has done. I love her because she was my sister and nothing would change that. 

I was driving to church the other morning on my way to serve and those words ran through my mind and it hit me, that is just how Christ loves me and you. He doesn’t love us because of what we have done for Him or what we will do for Him. His love isn’t in jeopardy when we make a mistake or fail to do something we should do. Christ's love for us, isn’t based on us but on Him and who He is. 

That is a truth I have struggled to believe throughout my walk with the Lord. How could a God that is so big and all knowing, love little ol’ me and all the not so great choices I have made and will make in the years to come? But this truth is all throughout scripture.

Romans 8:38-39 CSB

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Psalms 136: 1-3 (It also states here the Lord’s love enduring forever 26 times, once in every verse.)

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

His faithful love endures forever.

2 Give thanks to the God of gods.

His faithful love endures forever.

3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords.

His faithful love endures forever.”

John 3:16

“For God loved the world in this way:[e] He gave[f] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

And these are just to name a few of the many scriptures that talk about the love of God for us, His children. It doesn’t matter what we have done, God’s love for us will not be shaken because His love is based on who He is and not on who we are. 

Can you imagine looking at your child one day and deciding to stop loving them because they messed up or forgot something very important. You may feel hurt, anger, and shame at the choices of our children, but I don’t know if I could ever stop loving Allie. I love her not because of what she has done or what she will do. I love her because she is my daughter, plain and simple. 

If you are reading this blog and you’ve been questioning if the Lord could really love you, all of you, every choice you’ve ever made. He can and He does. God loves you far more than you will ever be able to wrap your mind around. God wants to share His love with you and come into your heart, if you’ll let Him. 

To do that you need to own up to your sins. All of us have sins, we all fall short of the glory of God, that is why His love isn’t based on us and salvation is a gift. 

You need to ask the Lord to forgive you of your sins and the choices you’ve made living your life apart from Him. Then ask Him to come into your heart to be Lord and Savior over your life. To do that you can say this prayer, 

“Lord, I am sorry for the sins that I have committed. I don’t know how to live my life for you but I really want to. Please Lord forgive me, and come into my heart to Lord over my life. In Jesus name I pray, amen. 

The Lord loves you so deeply. The love we feel for our babies is just the teeniest glimpse of the love that God has for us. Don’t let the lies that you aren’t good enough or that your past is too much stop you from saying this prayer. The Lord loves you, just because.