In this blog, it is my privilege to talk about the amazing love G-d has for all human beings. Oh my friends, His love is so beautiful and much more stable than human love. The love G-d has for human beings is powerful (words cannot define it properly); the love I will speak of in this blog is the love we have access to (at least on a small scale) when we have faith in the Messiah (please understand G-d loves nonbelievers as well as people of faith in the Messiah).
I am writing this blog because my eyes are opening to the meaning of His love, and I want to share with others His truth. I pray for those of the Jewish faith and other faiths to hang in there as I believe the love of G-d, through the Messiah, is a very important subject. As I delve into the word of G-d on a deeper level through meditation, I am finding more understanding of His word. I have meditated on a New Testament scripture about the love of G-d; this lovely scripture is understood to be written by John, who was a disciple of the Messiah. He knew first hand the love of G-d through the Messiah. This scripture says, “We have come to know and have believed the love which G-d has for us. G-d is love and the one who abides in love, abides in G-d, and G-d abides in Him. By this, love is perfected in us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgement, because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love” (1 John 4:16-18 NASB).
I cannot speak on the subject of the wonderful love of G-d without speaking about the Holy Spirit, please hang in there, those of you who are of Jewish faith or another faith, as I know this subject can be triggering. This subject is important in understanding how people of faith in the Messiah can know the love of G-d (at least in a small way). To those who are new to hearing about the Spirit, the Holy Spirit dwells inside each believer, when he or she proclaims their faith in the Messiah. It is written in the New Testament, the Messiah promised His disciples (and future believers), He would give them the gift of the Holy Spirt to be a “counselor” and a “comforter” to them, when He was no longer present in the world. The Messiah also said about the Holy Spirit or “Helper” that it will teach them all things, and remind them of all the Messiah said to them (John 14:26 NASB). The “Helper” will therefore, teach them, and those in future generations, what John is talking about when he says in scripture, “you will know and begin to believe in the love G-d has for you” (1 John 4:16 NASB ). Therefore, for those who have faith in the Messiah, the Spirit will open their eyes to the truth of the love of G-d. As I stated earlier, G-d loves both believers and nonbelievers, I was a nonbeliever for most of my adult life and I believe G-d did love me; though believers have access to the Holy Spirit (this understanding helps believers be able to comprehend the word of G-d, which teaches about His love, more clearly).
When I meditate on the words “G-d is love” from 1 John 4:16, I begin to realize G-d is not condemning, judgmental or punishing; He is love. The world can be a condemning place; we may learn to condemn ourselves through our families criticism of us, and we may project unto G-d what we believe about ourselves, that we are not worthy of His love. Condemnation is a lie, as we learn through faith in Him. G-d gave the world a gift of the Messiah so humans could be free from a “yoke of slavery.” In His word, it is stated, “It was for freedom that the Messiah set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1 NASB). Having a “yoke of slavery” means being a slave to the Mosaic law (trying to gain righteousness from the law given in the Old Testament). The Messiah, and not the law (though some from the Messianic Jewish faith believe there is an obligation to follow some of the laws in the OT) frees us from the “bondage to sin.” This “bondage” keeps us trapped in regret and shame, and it keeps us from knowing the forgiveness and love of G-d.
There are many false beliefs and attitudes in this world keeping us in the “bondage of sin.” We are in a “bondage to sin” when we are burdened with anger, hurt, and fear. The reason for this is because emotions at times contribute to our lack of forgiveness and can harden our hearts to the love of G-d. G-d gives us His grace (mercy), He forgives us and others, and we need to accept His grace. In His grace we are free of all “bondage” through the death of the Messiah. We need to pray to G-d to help us forgive others as He has forgiven us of our sins. This is not to say, we should accept abuse, healing takes time and there is no condemnation (if we give our anger to G-d) for our lack of forgiveness. G-d will help always with what we cannot do in our own strength.
The world is a very lonely place, human beings commit sin and we will suffer hardships from the sins of others. The Bible does not say we will not have trials in this world; nor does the Bible say because we have trials, we are not loved by G-d. It is actually the opposite, G-d loves us so much and He is with us in our suffering. “He is close to the broken hearted” even at the times when we do not feel His presence (Psalm 34:18 NASB). When we cry out to G-d, like King David, G-d will hear us.
The “perfect love” of G-d is a love without judgement, love “casts out” any fear of punishment (1 John 4:18 NASB), and when we focus on His love, we are stronger through Him. Fear causes us to give into temptation, but His love can help us resist temptation. Even when we give into temptation, however, He still loves us, and our repentance will bring us closer to Him. It is important to believe the truth in His Word, that we are loved and not condemned; and we can be confident on the “day of judgement” (1 John 4:17 NASB).
Another type of “bondage to sin,” that keeps us from the love of G-d, is the “bondage” caused by needing the approval of man. This “bondage” can lead us to trust in man more than G-d, which leads to idolatry. The “bondage” of needing approval from man causes us to condemn ourselves for not being acceptable according to the world’s standards. We then compare ourselves to others, and this leads us to judge ourselves when we do not measure up to the world. The world can keep us in this “bondage” as it tempts us to strive to be popular and to be accepted by the world’s standards. We become depressed when we feel we cannot live up to what we think we are “supposed” to be, according to our families or the world. This high standard is not of G-d, G-d does not base the love He has for us according to the way we appear to the world. We are not valued by Him according to our actions or deeds. His love is based on who we are, as His children. Our confidence is because we are His, and is not because we have self-esteem in the world’s eyes. The needing of others approval can lead to depression and the symptom of depression may be a sign someone is condemning themselves; please know G-d does not condemn us, though He does want us to confess of our sins. As a therapist, I would recommend you seek help from a caring therapist, if depression is in the way of living the life you want to lead. It is also important to know that a contributing factor to depression may be the false beliefs we have about ourselves.
Why is it difficult for people to believe in a Messiah who frees us from a “bondage to sin”? The Bible talks about the “serpent” or the “enemy” who tempted Adam and Eve to eat from the fruit of the “tree of knowledge” (Genesis 3:1). Truthfully, the “serpent” or the “enemy” did not want them to be close to G-d. Today we also suffer from temptation from the “enemy” discussed in the Bible. The “enemy” wants us to continue being “bonded to sin,” so it keeps us from knowing the truth about the love of G-d and blinds people so they cannot see the truth. Once you come to the Messiah, your eyes start opening. I did not want to see the truth, as I had guilt about believing in the Messiah because of my Jewish faith; I was terrified G-d would not approve of this decision. I am glad I did believe, however, as the Messiah’s grace and mercy transforms our hearts for the better; and He bring us His peace (please read my first blog).
In utilizing the Word of G-d, we can parse away our false beliefs of condemnation and worldly expectation. We will then understand the difference between His love and human love. Human love is wavering, the love of G-d is consistent. His love has no expectation, unlike human love, and we do not need to do anything to have Him love us. If you feel, as I have, that you have searched for many ways to fill up the void in your life, and nothing does, than know that this is because the only thing that can fill us up is G-d’s love, and we can know this love through faith in the Messiah. The type of love that comes from G-d, no human being can give to us, not even those people we are closest to. He loves us much more than we can ever understand, and only by knowing His love and having Him fill up our void, can we learn to let go of the need for approval of man. You do not have to be a believer to pray to G-d and for Him to hear you, I encourage you to pray and ask Him if there is truth in the Messiah; and to show you the way. I ask that you become mindful of your mind’s beliefs about yourself and the lies you are hearing; ask G-d to show you the truth of who you are through the Messiah; “trust in the L-rd with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6). Be patient, as it can take time; remember He is patient with us and wants what is best for us. G-d bless to you all in your journey of truth finding.