Lesson 158: God's Love is Unconditional
My Beloved Compatriots,
5th Kentucky Chaplain J. W. Binion
As I meditate on a message for the New Year a myriad of thoughts race through my mind. In prayerful preparation I seek the Lord’s guidance in putting the correct words together so as to lift your spirits and loose the blessings of God Almighty upon you and your families. Every time I think that the Lord has graced me with the right message another need comes to mind. Each time I think I have received the absolutely best possible lesson for your spirits another concern surfaces and I am “back to the drawing board.”
This morning I was reading a communiqué from my trusted and loved brother in Christ in which he spoke of another’s need. Last night Donna and I were fellowshipping with our reenacting family and I was asked to keep a young compatriot on my prayer list. The subject of both had to do with matters of wavering faith. When I read the newspaper, observe the news on the television, and hear the news on the radio I am more aware of the spiritual need of people throughout the nation and world. I read of rising unemployment, increasing bankruptcies, foreclosures becoming more frequent, and of course the increase in violent crimes. Drug usage on the rise and marriages falling apart are also constant subjects of discussion. I am asked how one can look forward to another year with any level of optimism.
For those who do not understand the messages of scripture the outlook is certainly less than positive. When we don’t understand that hope is truly from God the Father through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ with comfort/protection from the Holy Spirit then we can not experience the joyful hope we deserve to receive.
May I say here that we can enjoy the prospect of the coming New Year if we study the truth of the scriptures? What happier future could there be than knowing positively that we are loved unconditionally by He who created us? As we read the inerrant word of God we are constantly told “I love you” by the Almighty Eternal God.
Throughout scripture we see these words and examples of just how much He does love us. I have been reading a book, Where are You God?, written by Dr. John Oswald. Dr. Oswald’s work is a study of the last book of the Old Testament – Malachi. In this the last of the Minor Prophets, the Lord discusses with the Judeans their lack of understanding of His love for them. We are told how even though the Judeans did not follow God’s plan and desire for them, He still loved them. I recommend these four chapters to you.
We see the love of God expressed in other books of the Old Testament – the Psalms, Exodus, Job, etc.. Think about how many times the Lord showed His love in spite of the behavior of the people of Israel. If the Lord Almighty did not love unconditionally why did He continue to bless those folks? He loves us whether we love Him or not. He wants us to love Him, but He is not going to force us to do so. If we are too dense (or stupid) to see what He has offered, then it is not His fault when we do not receive the blessings He wants to lay on us.
In the New Testament we are given even more evidence/proof of His unconditional love. The incarnation of Jesus is the most obvious proof. As we read/study the Gospels and Epistles we are shown more and more examples of the love of God for His creations. Christ Jesus tells us over and over again how to obtain the blessings of hope, peace, and love.
Throughout the New Testament we are told that our past does not matter to God the Father if we will but accept Jesus Christ as our personal savior, repent of our sins, and subject ourselves to the will of God. Oh, wait – there is the problem with most humans.
Subjecting ourselves to the will of God – we are just too full of pride (or whatever) to SUBJECT our almighty ego to the will of someone else. We are so full of the “American individualism” that we find it difficult to realize that only through HIS will can we be truly happy and find peace. Hold on chaplain – I have accepted Jesus, repented of my sins and I am still suffering, don’t have enough money to pay the bills, and am lonely. “What’s the problem here?”
There is no problem. God does not promise the born-again Christian a life free of problems. God does not promise you that if you come to Him your bank account will be overflowing (regardless of what the prosperity preachers may say). What we are promised is that when these hard times come, when the finances are low, when our health fails the strength and comfort of Christ Jesus will always carry us through.
We can not experience this hope, this joy, and the strength of Christ if we do accept the love of God. Yeah, we have to accept the fact that GOD LOVES US in order to feel that love. Regardless of how rotten we think we are – GOD LOVES US. When you are willing to accept that unconditional love you will be able to experience His power, strength, and hope.
When you can truly submit your will to His you will overcome the storms of this world. When you can completely commit yourself to HIM, you will then experience what true freedom and peace is. When you totally surrender to HIM, you will have victory. When you have reached this plateau, you will be able to face the future with positive hope without fear or dread.
Happy New Year my compatriots – Fully Rely On God (F.R.O.G.) and you will reap all He has to give. Your obedient servant and faithful chaplain – Pastor J. W. Binion, Chaplain 5th KY Inf. CSA Companies D, E, F & Pvt. E. F. Arthur Camp SCV