I Am Marion Grace - Part 4

God is love! I would say this is my greatest banner and what I pursue the most at this time in my life. If I was being completely straight forward I would have to say that seeing God’s love for me in a very real way is the only reason I am alive today. The way he loved me in my darkest hour, even though it was all my fault, is what brought me back. He loved me and rescued me even though I had turned my back in anger and had not done anything for him in several years.

I John 4:8 says that God IS love. It is the very essence of who He is; His #1 attribute. Ephesians 2:4 speaks of his great love for us. The word, great” is Strong’s 4183 and means, much, largely, often, abundant, altogether, far, long, and plenteous. My favorite passage though, by far, is Ephesians 3:18,19 in The Passion Translation:

“Then you will be empowered to discover what every holy one experiences—the great magnitude of the astonishing love of Christ in all its dimensions. How deeply intimate and far-reaching is his love! How enduring and inclusive it is! Endless love beyond measurement that transcends our understanding—this extravagant love pours into you until you are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God!”

Then, of course, the result of this in our lives is verse 20.

“Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.”

This is where it’s at people. It is knowing His love that empowers you to believe Him and all His amazing promises. It is because I know his love that I am now able to stand and do what he has called me to do. The absolute love of God carries you beyond any circumstance, trial, sickness, or setback. His is the love that does not demand penance (punishment) for a mistake before he will take you back in his arms. It is love that does not demand a waiting period so you can prove your worthiness this time. It is love that does not insist on performance and earning a gold star for behavior before restoration.

 This is the love I discovered in God that has completely transformed my life. I ‘see’ God more clearly now than I ever have in my forty-plus years of walking with him and I will never again have anything to do with man-made, ugly religion or performance. How did I discover this? It was in spending a lot of time with God. When he saved my life I just worshiped him every day. As I spent time in his presence he changed me. I truly got a revelation of how much He loved me, just for me, and it has affected everything.

I truly believe John 10:10, that he has come to give me life more abundantly. This is real freedom.