His love is relentless.

      Forgiveness. Love. Transparency. Maybe they seem disconnected, but these things have been topics of reoccurring thoughts in this crazy head of mine. What’s hard about forgiveness? Is it the act of forgiving or being forgiven? It’s amazing to me how God uses different things to show me his character. How do we know who God is? Primarily through His word, yes. But he also reveals himself in creation, and lately I’ve seen the love of Christ through people who are living out the truth. I think of 1 John 4:12 that says, “No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” John MacArthur commentates on this verse, “Nobody can see God loving since his love is invisible. Jesus no longer is in the world to manifest the love of God. The only demonstration of God’s love in this age is the church. That testimony is critical…love originated in God, was manifested in his Son, and demonstrated by his people.” I have had some struggles over the past few months. Worries and fears of unknowns, mainly. There are have been some days when these fears have overwhelmed me and I’ve struggled to see past them. Through those fears there have been people who have loved me relentlessly and shown me grace. I cannot tell you how humbling it is for people to keep on loving you even when you’re at your worst. It’s been through this love poured by people that I’m reminded by the One that showed us what love truly is. The One who is Love. The love with which people love is just a taste of the love Christ has lavished on us…and what a beautiful picture it has been for me. Seeing a glimpse of His grace through His people. I know it’s His Spirit working inside them, inside me.  When I’ve seen this love the most is when forgiveness has been extended. When, despite what I’ve done, they continue to show grace. I’m all about transparency. When people are real about their struggles and can share it with others, allowing them to see the workings of grace in their lives…it’s such a beautiful thing. However, it’s hard to be on the other side. It’s sometimes hard to come before someone and be honest and open about struggles you’re having in your own heart. You may think they won’t understand or that they themselves will look down on you for your struggles. What a beautiful thing it is, though, when you open up your heart and share those inward struggles. When condemnation is not poured but grace encompasses. When you encounter a heart that says, “hey, I’ve been there too.” or, “I’m here for you no matter what.” And ultimately when you are reminded that the same spirit that was in Christ is in his children. This struggle doesn’t have to hold you hostage. There is freedom in Christ. He has conquered sin and death on our behalf. He won’t give up on us. He will complete the work he’s started. His love is relentless. This is the message of the gospel. The gospel that saved our souls, it’s that same gospel that rescues us on a daily basis. It tells our hearts that want to condemn that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. We see the truth of his love and forgiveness in his word, but when we see it working in the lives of others, the gospel being worked out in the flesh of precious fellow brothers and sisters, the power of the gospel is seen. I have no other response but to be humbled by God’s grace and to be in awe of Him. May we be the feet, the voice, the hands, and the heart to carry the good news of the gospel. To lavishly love others, to have a heart that eagerly forgives, and to have the courage to be transparent with it each other—this is my prayer. Sometimes we need to help a brother or sister along, and sometimes we are that person who needs help. We must all help each other by reminding ourselves where our hope lies.