“We love because He first loved us.” -1 John 4:19
On Palm Sunday this year, my church was lovingly challenged by our Pastor to not walk into this Easter season going through the motions of our daily, busy schedules. Rather, he encouraged us to truly reflect on what this season means, not only for the next week, but for our lives.
It can be so easy to go a week, or more, without considering the reality of God’s wonderful sacrifice for us. After all, papers need to be written, bills need to be paid, coffee dates need to be had, and so on. The list is never ending.
As I reflected on the challenge presented me by my Pastor, I began to think of my personal redemption story.
I met Jesus at a painful time in my life. I wouldn’t say there was anything particularly challenging going on at the time, however the overwhelming weight of shame, condemnation, unworthiness, feeling unloved, and so much more consumed me. Each morning, I put all of this on, and each day I would wonder what my value was in this world. I felt as though I had none.
Then, the hero in my story came to my rescue. At seventeen years old, Jesus showed me who He was, His affections for me, and my value. From the heart of the Father I learned I was created for greatness, but more than that, I was loved and wanted beyond understanding.
I was loved to the cross and back.
I was worth the sacrifice of God.
“This is love: He loved us long before we loved him. It was his love, not ours. He proved it by sending his Son to be the pleasing sacrificial offering to take away our sins.” – 1 John 4:10 (TPT)
Before I personally knew Jesus, He pursued me. He sought my heart. He made great plans for my life,–not only plans to prosper, but to know Him deeply.
“Those who are loved by God, let his love continually pour from you to one another, because God is love. Everyone who loves is fathered by God and experiences an intimate knowledge of him.” -1 John 4:7 (TPT)
As I reflect upon this great love of my Savior, I am compelled to seek my own heart. If I understand to my core that God was willing to become human, and die in my place, then the unforgiveness, bitterness, and anger in my heart towards others needs to go. Although they may have hurt me greatly, I cannot in my heart hold both love for Jesus, and disdain for others whom the Father also loves.
When these feelings arise in my heart, I can no longer live with them comfortably as I once had. Rather, I recognize them as bile rising, burning my throat, and filling my mouth with the most sour taste. It’s then that I have a choice to make: live with the sour taste, or seek God.
On more than one occasion I have had to be real with the Lord about my struggles with unforgiveness and bitterness. I have had to seek His help at times to change my heart to even want to forgive someone for the harm they’ve done, or even more, to bless those who have hurt me, or those I love.
Why, on earth, would I desire to forgive, or even ask God to bless my offenders? The answer is simple: because He first loved me. It is this great love of the Father that changes me to be more like His Son in the way I see other people. When I am hurt, I am learning to allow God to be both my Comforter, and my Defender. I do not need to worry about seeking justice for myself when I understand God’s faithfulness to do this for me.
I can love an forgive others because He first loved me.