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Accepted and Loved

 

John 14:21 - He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 

Perhaps you realize that Jesus accepts you because of His sacrifice on the cross. But you are not really certain that He likes or loves you. You know your faults and the mistakes you make. Could God possibly love you despite all that?

Unfortunately, this uncertainty can impede your relationship with Him. You may constantly imagine His displeasure, which can actually drive you to more sin, discouragement, and feelings of alienation. You may fear that you’ll do the one thing that could lose His favor and blessings forever. Friend that is no way to live.

Your heavenly Father is just that --- a Father. He is not like our imperfect human dads, but One who is unfathomably wise and unconditionally loving. He knows you are growing in faith---that you’ll have questions and make mistakes. But He asks you to obey Him because He wants to teach you how to be free. It is for your own good---not to earn His love. He knows your potential and longs to see you embrace the abundant life for which He created you.

 

From – “Jesus, Our Perfect Hope” by Charles F. Stanley