Why would a complete and perfect God create you and me?
We have all probably asked this question at some point in our life. It’s likely to have come in those crucial, malleable times when we were searching for something true. The answer will define the way we live and what course we take. It will cause us to form our opinions and make decisions that will affect the rest of our life, as well as the others around us.
What if I told you that you and I were created, by God, to be loved. That’s it! You weren’t created so that you would love God. You and I were placed on earth so that we would know the overwhelming love of a perfect Father.
At first, this statement may seem too simple. It may even come across as cheap. But, if you follow this out and look at what Scripture says about the nature of God, who is love, then it may begin to make more sense to you.
God, who embodies a perfect love, would have to mirror this love, right? And, if the test for whether someone is actually loving another in this way is displayed by Scripture, then we need to know what characterizes this love. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) reminds us that perfect love is displayed by an attitude of giving, rather than receiving. Love gives away. It doesn’t expect or take.
If love gives away, then God gives away, because God is love.
Anyone who spends any amount of time in church, will hear that God is love. And many of us can accept that God loves the world, in a collective sense. But, do we know that God loves us? Do you know that God loves YOU?
Satan has a way of planting subtle lies in our minds at strategic times. They sound something like this:
“God will love you when you get your act together.”
“God really only loves the potential that you can become.”
…or even…
“God doesn't, and couldn’t ever, love you. You’re a mess.”
God created you to be loved, in order to love you. That is the Good News of the Kingdom. “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,” or, paraphrased, “before we ever took a step towards him, he took a step towards us.” That is love!
Jesus found the marginalized people in his society. The woman at the well. The tax collector. The paralyzed man at Bethesda. In all of these, he did not say, “Get your act together and follow me.” He showed them how much he loved them, and their lives were completely changed.
Before your quiet time, God loves you.
In your weakness, He loves you.
In your sin, He loves you.
You don't have to do a thing. He loves you!
And if you have identified with this simple truth, then you can testify that your life is not the same. When we have experienced this love in our heart, it creates a thankfulness and humility that allows us to offer up everything we are to help further His Kingdom. It’s the greatest gift that the creator could ever give—himself. His Love.
Do you know?
You were created to be loved.
