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How Jesus is the Fulfillment of God’s Love

Posted on: April 1st, 2013 by Laurie Coombs 2 Comments

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

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No doubt about it. We are loved.

Truly loved, despite all our shortcomings.

The Feinberg Challenge

Over the last 40 days of Lent, leading up to Easter, I joined Margaret Feinberg (along with thousands of other Christ followers), in her 40-Day Bible Reading Challenge. Together we read through the Bible. Yep. The whole thing. 

Honestly, it was crazy, but it was amazing at the same time! Beginning in Genesis and ending with Revelation, we read an average of 30 chapters a day (though I’m a day behind, so I’ll be finishing up today).

When first presented with all this craziness, I was intrigued, but I didn’t think I could do it. After all, I have children who need their mommy and a husband who needs his wife, but God made it happen. Day in and day out, I was given the time needed to soak in the truth of God’s word.

And when God’s truth continually washes over you, something begins to sirs within your soul. [Tweet that] God works. He teaches. He shows you things you’ve been missing all along or have forgotten amidst the busyness of life.

Throughout this time, there were days I was moved to tears as I read (well, ok, I actually cried most days).  The more I read, the more the love and faithfulness of our mighty God was impressed upon my heart.

I just love how Sally Lloyd-Jones describes the love of God in The Jesus Storybook Bible for kids. She says God loves us “with a Never StoppingNever Giving up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love.” Isn’t that an amazing description?

And it was this love that become so real to me during my reading.

God’s Story

The whole of the Bible tells the story of God. It tells of a people––made to love and be loved by God––who rebelled against their loving Father, bringing sin into the world. From this moment on, God sought to bring His people back to Himself once again, saying I will be your God and you shall be my people.

Truly, the Bible shows love affair between God and His people in which He faithfully pursues the hearts of man. [Tweet that]

Still, God’s people rebelled. They rebelled over and over and over again. Yet, God never forsook them though He had every right to do so. But instead, God chose to love them, despite rebellion and sin.

The Climax

God’s plan ultimately culminated with Jesus.

Jesus was God’s love displayed in flesh. He was the way. The way back to God. As said before, God could have left us in our sinful state of hopelessness. But instead, He provided a way back to Himself. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

For 33 years, Love walked the Earth.

Love healed wounds.

Love set free the captives. 

Love showed us the way as He called and said, “Follow Me.”

And Love was nailed to a cross on Calvary.

But ultimately, Love rose again, bringing us new life. 

This is what Easter is all about. The love of God, who is faithful to provide new beginnings. [Tweet that] It’s like we get a mulligan. A do-over. What was behind has passed. And all that is required of us is to receive the free gift of salvation. To receive Christ. [Tweet that]

Jesus holds out His hand, offering us mercy, grace, salvation, love, hope, peace, and so much more.

Reach out and take hold of the promises of God. Receive His Love.

Happy Easter!

{Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s love. Receive Him.}

Question: How have you been blessed by the Word of God? How has the story of God impacted your life? Share in the comments.

2 Responses

  1. gmatsonjr says:

    FAITH: the little word that prevents evangelicals from understanding that “free” really does mean FREE!
    If you are sitting in your living room, watching television, and you see a promotion for entering a contest to win a “free” prize, but down at the very bottom of the television screen, for maybe two seconds,  in small, faint print, you read this statement:  $15 entrance fee required…is this prize really free?
    No.  Why?  Because you had to do something to receive it!
    If you go on vacation to a luxury resort and are told that the resort is giving away a free steak and lobster dinner…and all that you have to do to receive this free dinner is to sit through an hour and a half time-share presentation…is that steak and lobster dinner really free?
    No.  Why?  Because you had to do something to receive it!
    So when an evangelical Christian tells you that salvation is a free gift, and that all you have to do to receive it, is to make a free-will, mature, informed, adult or older child “decision”…is that a free gift?
    No.  Why?  Because…………you…had…to…do…something…to…receive…it!
    So why do so many evangelicals require a decision if they believe that salvation is a free gift from God; when they believe that salvation is not based on any good work or good deed of the sinner???
    http://www.lutherwasnotbornagain.com/2013/09/faith-little-word-that-prevents.html