All You Need is Love

Relationship vs. Rules
Growing up I was taught that God loved me and I knew in my heart that was the truth. Being loved by God is an amazing thing, but looking back I can see the full impact of that relationship was not a reality for me.  Most people I encountered seemed to focus mostly on keeping rules to ensure they were on good terms with God. If you kept the rules then you were okay with God, but if you did not, you were in major trouble. What I saw modeled was people who related to God based on rule-keeping not children enjoying a relationship with a loving Father.

Good News!
I was taught that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and that He received the punishment I deserved.  The gospel that I heard seemed to be heavy on God’s need to punish people and light on His love.  I can remember many sermons that ended with an appeal to avoid hell and accept Jesus as my savior.  To be clear, I believe there are consequences for people who resist God’s love and rebel against Him.  But, any message that encourages people to come to God primarily to avoid eternal punishment is not the true gospel.  The real gospel is about love. The Apostle John said, “God is love.”  (Check out 1 John 4:7-8.) When Jesus was asked about the most important ‘command’ He said it was about love.  First, love God with everything you’ve got and while you’re at it, love other people as much as you love yourself.  (Mark 12:29-31)  Love is at the core of all that God does and it’s how He relates to us–His children. Now that’s good news!

He Loves Me
Fast-forward many years to the present and I can honestly say that I’m in a much better place because I’ve experienced the reality of a loving relationship with my Father.  I’ve grown to understand more of His character and I’m living with a growing awareness of how much He loves me.  This does not mean I never have challenges or questions.  I do.  I still make mistakes, but now I understand that there’s nothing I can do to make God love me more. And there’s nothing I can do to make Him love me less. He loves me, period!

No Fear
Jesus said that eternal life is ‘knowing God.’  (John 17:3)  To me, this means knowing Him for who He really is.  When we’re in a relationship with someone we’ll trust that person and become intimate only after we really know them.  I believe that’s what God wants for you and me.  He wants us to trust Him.  He’s gone to great lengths to demonstrate His love for us. We come to Him in the first place because we believe He’s good and because we believe He has our best interest at heart.  I don’t fear God in the same the way I used to.  I no longer operate out of fear of punishment; I’m motivated to live my life based on my love for God.  God’s perfect love has driven fear out of my life.  (1 John 4:18)

Can’t Help Falling in Love
Some people say that God has taken a big risk by extending grace to people who have rebelled against Him.  When He loves and forgives a person who comes to Him by faith, it’s unconditional.  What happens if people take advantage of this unconditional love?  What if they don’t follow all the rules?  What if they mess up?  In can assure you that our Father knows what He’s doing.  He knows that love always wins.  He wants children who obey Him out of love, not slaves who obey because they’re afraid of being punished.  People must have freedom to choose God willingly because without freedom there can be no real love.  Love is something we choose to do.  When we discover what a wonderful Father we have, we cannot help falling in love with him. Knowing these truths and experiencing this love has transformed my life!

John, the Apostle said, “God is Love.”
John, the Beatle said, “All you need is Love.”
I believe they were both right.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences!

Copyright 2014 John H Briggs