God loves you just for yourself. His love isn’t based on what you do, or how much you have accomplished, or how many good works you have done. He loves you simply because you are His child.
If you’re ever in doubt, think about the crucifixion of Jesus.
Luke 23:35-37 tells us: The rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” the soldiers also mocked him, … saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”
Two thieves were crucified next to Jesus. Verse 39 tells us that one of them joined in the mockery and challenged Him, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” He was essentially saying, “If You are really God, show us and get off this cross!”
So let this day, today, be the day when you truly understand that paradise can come to you.
But the other thief said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (v. 42).
And what did Jesus tell him? His answer in verse 43 is astonishing: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
The thief had no time to do good works or anything at all to earn the Lord’s approval. Even so, Jesus promised that very day they would be together in paradise!
So let this day, today, be the day when you truly understand that paradise can come to you. Heaven can invade your heart, assuring you of His love and giving you a peace that you didn’t know was possible.
God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son, that all of His other children—that’s us—could be with Him for eternity.
Ephesians 2:8-9 explains, For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. We simply need to accept His great gift.
Excerpted from a teaching on The 700 Club. Scripture is quoted from the ESV.
