I have been writing for Love God Greatly for quite some time. It is amazing to me how privileged and blessed I am to be able to delve into the Scriptures, study different verses, and share the vulnerable pieces of my heart. In all these years, this is the first time that I have ever received a repeat verse. I have to admit that I still struggle with God’s decision even all these years later. So if you will allow me, I want to share with you my devotion on Jonah 4 which was written on September 3, 2018. It still brings me to tears. It is still a heart-rending struggle. Yet God is faithful to comfort, soothe, and encourage me to continue forward each and every day.
“He prayed to the Lord and said, ‘Oh, LORD, this is just what I thought would happen when I was in my own country. This is what I tried to prevent by attempting to escape to Tarshish, because I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in mercy, and one who relents concerning threatened judgment.’” – Jonah 4:2
It was a cold wintery afternoon when I received the letter. This was back when people actually wrote letters. There was no return address – no indication of who wrote it. I scanned the letter until the words jumped off the page, “God has forgiven me, and I pray that you will too.” My heart stopped. Instantly, I knew exactly who this was from and what this was about.
I was filled with venom. I couldn’t believe it. How dare he! How did he think a measly letter would pardon him from years of hurt, pain, and abuse? I soon realized my anger wasn’t only targeted at him.
I raged wildly against God. How could you, Lord?!? How could you forgive the man who violated me? How could you make this man my ‘brother’ in Christ? I hate him, Lord, so you should hate him too! Where is my justice???
I felt sick. I cried angry, violent tears for days. I whined. I pouted. I ran far from church. The words of the Bible rang hollow and empty.
I was Jonah.
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him.” – John 3:17
The irony is that I viewed the forgiveness of my sin as proof of God’s merciful love for me, yet I viewed his sin as justification for God’s wrath towards him. I wanted a God in my own image – One who freely forgives me for anything but severely punishes my enemies for everything. However, that is not the God of the Bible.
This is God’s heart for all people – for all sinners – that not one person would spend eternity separated from Him in hell. God loves and desires to connect deeply with each one of us through the redemption of His Son, Jesus. God pours out His unlimited mercy and compassion, not desiring anyone to perish. From the very moment one receives Jesus, they receive not only His forgiveness but also His perfect righteousness. Jesus makes one right with God, all at once and for eternity. This is the gospel.
“The LORD is compassionate and merciful; he is patient and demonstrates great loyal love. He does not always accuse and does not stay angry. He does not deal with us as our sins deserve; he does not repay us as our misdeeds deserve.” – Psalm 103:8-10
I’m ashamed to admit that in my prideful anger and bitterness, I had decided that a person was not worthy of God’s forgiveness and mercy. My anger clouded the truth of God’s Word. I struggled to see the light of the gospel of Jesus.
When Jesus, our Good Shepherd, leaves the ninety-nine sheep to pursue the one lost sheep, it seems foolish and reckless…unless the one lost sheep is you. Jesus’ passionate pursuit of sinners defines who He is. That same passion should define God’s children as well.
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” – Luke 19:10
Even in my pain-riddled disobedience, the Holy Spirit relentlessly pursued me. His overwhelming love drew me back to Him. The key to true forgiveness in my life has been through humbly meditating on just how much God has forgiven me. To keep from looking down on my enemies, I must keep looking up to the cross.
When I view myself as superior to another, I remember that my right standing with God is based solely on Jesus and what He has done, not on anything that I have done.
When I meditate on Jesus’ torturous sacrifice on the cross, I remember that His sacrifice wasn’t just for me but for everyone, including those who sin against me.
When I think of the gospel, I remember that the ground is level at the foot of the cross. No one is worthy of God’s unfailing love, yet He offers it freely to all.
“For as the skies are high above the earth, so his loyal love towers over his faithful followers. As far as the eastern horizon is from the west, so he removes the guilt of our rebellious actions from us.” – Psalm 103:11-12
There will come that day when Jesus returns, and He will judge those who have rejected Him. But that day has not yet come. So until then, we must persevere in love…and love hard!
True Christian love doesn’t come easy. It’s a sacrifice that the world will never understand. If loving and forgiving people never cost us anything, we would never value the sacrificial love that Jesus has for us. The more we have of Jesus, the more we love like Jesus.
Love is not simply what God does. Love is who God is. Love offers Himself sacrificially without discrimination, without hesitation, and without judgment.
Jesus loved His Father and His people to the point of death. There is nothing that Jesus won’t sacrifice in the name of love.
There is no place that Jesus won’t go.
There is no one that Jesus is unwilling to connect with.
There is no limit to the heights and depths that Jesus will extend to reach the lost.
Jesus came to save!
Who have you decided is not worthy of the love, mercy, and forgiveness of Jesus Christ? In what situation or circumstance are you in need of a heart that loves as God loves? How can we pray for you as you strive to embrace God’s gift of grace for each and every person that He chooses?
Peace and grace unto you!
