Commands and Love
by David Cross
Pressured by today’s culture of entitlement and its endless pursuit of perceived freedom, it seems that, within much of the Church, there’s a belief that God’s unconditional love must surely mean that He won’t oppose any life-style which I deem truly necessary for my well-being. Bearing in mind my inherited traits, my difficult upbringing and the strength of my inner feelings today, surely a loving God wouldn’t condemn me for simply trying to pursue personal happiness.
In the stories of Jesus restoring damaged lives, He always managed to combine boundless love with very straight talking in respect of sinful life-choices. To the woman set free from a death sentence for adultery, He says, “Go. From now on sin no more” (John 8:11). To the man He meets in the temple, previously healed from paralysis, He says, “Do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you” (John 5:14).
God`s love for each one of us is undiminished by even the worst aspects of our sinful life-choices. But He knows that we can’t receive and benefit from that love if we remain determined to walk in those choices. A dirty window is a serious barrier to sunlight, even though it can never turn off the actual light source.
It’s because of the love of God that He gives us commands to keep us right with His spiritual laws. It’s not to hurt us, but to bring us into true freedom.
Prayer: Father, convict me of those sinful life-choices for which I’ve found personal justification, despite Your commands. Amen.
David Cross David is part of the Executive Leadership of Ellel Ministries, with particular responsibility for the Ellel centres in Western Europe. He is married to Denise and they have three grown up children and eight grandchildren. David has been a civil engineer and ski-touring instructor in the Highlands of Scotland. He is passionate about the teaching and practice of the healing and deliverance ministry of Jesus and has written several books: Soul Ties, Trapped by Control, God’s Covering, The Dangers of Alternative Ways to Healing(co-authored with John Berry), an A to Z Guide to the Healing Ministry, What`s Wrong with Human Rights? and, most recently, God`s Way out of Depression. You can follow a daily thought from David on Twitter: @dmcross62
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