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We see a lot of love stories among athletes and celebrities on various media. And, of course, lots of love stories in novels and films. Some even seem to be true!
Today is Easter, part of the real love story of the ages: God loves His people.*
His love for us started before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4).
He spoke to us in the prophets, telling us about Himself, and setting the stage for His Son (Hebrews 1:1).
In the fullness of time, Jesus—Eternal God—was born to a woman. This is incredible, but true. God came in the flesh. This is a genuine love story. Jesus gave up exercising His rights as God out of His love for the Father and for us. Jesus, fully God, fully man, lived with us, manifesting the Father (John 1:14; Philippians 2:6-8, Hebrews 1:2).
Jesus lived a perfect life, then sacrificed Himself to reconcile believers to God. We all were God’s enemies, but through Jesus, through His sacrifice, through God’s work in us to bring us to repentance and belief, we are now God’s beloved children (Romans 5:6-10).
The love story continues. After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the Holy Spirit was sent, which began the church. The Holy Spirit dwells in all believers, having come to us when we trusted in Christ (John 14:15-18; Ephesians 1:13-14).
And now Jesus is at the right hand of the Father interceding for us (Romans 8:34). The Holy Spirit, dwelling in us, prays for us (Romans 8:26-27).
We, living in a fallen world with all these difficulties and trauma, are being guided and protected. God, through His providence, brings good out of all things in our lives, making us into the image of His Son (Romans 8:28-29).
And the love story continues, because He has given us eternal life. We will be glorified. We will be holy and blameless before Him. There will be no sin in heaven. (Romans 8:30; Ephesians 1:4)
And we love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).
It is Easter! He is risen!
Praise Almighty God!
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*I’m focusing on those who God redeemed. He does love the world, and provides common grace to those who haven’t believed, but this post is about those who have repented and believed in Jesus Christ.
