May 19th

Are We There Yet?

Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 2 Corinthians 13:7-8

Do you know the biggest game-changer in the world? It's love. Love changes everything the moment it walks in the room.

And here, today, I want us to see from scripture how the truth of God's love changes everything for us, whether we feel like we deserve it or not.

Because, here's the crazy thing-I think most of us, if we're honest with ourselves, come to church feeling like we don't belong there. We're thinking, Man, if these people knew what I did this past week, they'd run me right out of the building.

Listen, I know you've messed up; so have I. But if you could really see the Jesus that is present before you right now, you wouldn't be thinking those thoughts. It would be all about Jesus and what He's saying to you right now. Because here's the reality-we're there. We've got His love.

Well, Bob, how do you know that I feel disqualified? Do you know how I know that you feel that way? Because I feel that way, just being honest with you. But God doesn't love you because you're loveable. He didn't love me because I'm loveable. But He unconditionally loves us anyway. We're there. We are complete in His love.

Now a lot of times, we don't feel that way. And Paul writes to you in our verses today and says, Isn't it cool that it doesn't have anything to do with feelings? Because a lot of times, we're not feeling it. I don't feel worthy to be your pastor. I don't feel worthy to stand on the stage. I know I'm undeserving of this. Do you know what I deserve? Hell. That's how I feel.

Yet God comes along and says, This is what I've done for you. And I desire that what I've done would forever change who you are and what you live for. No longer live for evil, not because you need to be approved. You don't need to earn my love. You don't need to seek my approval. I love you even though you're unlovable. I've chosen to love you. While you were still a sinner, I loved you. I chose to love you.

It doesn't have anything to do with how I feel; it is the facts that matter. Because you know what? Nothing we do can change the truth. You can reject God and refuse to receive His love, but it doesn't change the truth. The truth is the truth. And the truth is that God's love changes everything.

Prayer Father God,

Thanks for loving me even when I've been unlovable! Please fill me with Your love today so that I can be truly transformed into a new person.

Amen