I post a quote daily on my personal Facebook page called “JoyBook.” Sometime the quote is comical (“Always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise they won’t come to yours.” Yogi Berra). Other times the quote is more serious.
Recently I posted one that really made me think. “Here’s the paradox. We can fully embrace God’s love only when we recognize how completely unworthy of it we are.” [Ann Tatlock]
Paul wrote. “This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’—and I am the worst of them.” [1 Timothy 1:15 HCSB]
I am a lawbreaker. I have failed to keep the first and greatest commandment—to love God with all my heart and soul. I have gone astray. I have rebelled against God’s laws. I have tried to run as far away from God as possible.
I may not have persecuted the church, as Paul did, but I am a lawbreaker nonetheless. My sins are many and have dotted my life with stains that nothing I tried would wash away.
BUT GOD. But God loved me. And because of His great love shown through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus, my status was changed in 1973 from lawbreaker to child of God. My stains were covered with the precious blood of Jesus. I now strive each day to keep as near to my Father as I can.
I deserve none of God’s love. I am completely unworthy of it. AND YET. Still. He loves. Me. You.
As difficult (and as glorious) as that is to fully embrace, embrace it we must.
