IS THE GOSPEL G00D NEWS? PART 4

PART 4: GOD IS A LOVING FATHER

Is the good news the heavenly angels announced to the shepherds really good news? Was a Savior born for us?  The answer to both questions is an unqualified and total YES!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  John 3:16 NIV

As we enter into this week preceding the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are reminded once again how devastating sin is. When Adam chose to believe the serpent over God, when he and Eve chose to eat of The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, so that they would be as God, sin and death entered the world. Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden, and angelic guards were posted to prevent Adam and Eve from returning to the garden to eat of the Tree of Life and live forever in their sinful state. (Can you imagine the state of the world if the Hitlers and Saddam Husseins of the world were immortal? Death was not so much a punishment as a mercy.) Worst of all, their spirits were no longer one with God, and Adam had forfeited his right to rule over the world to Satan.

In moments, Adam and Eve had gone from living in paradise, innocence, and intimate fellowship with God, to being expelled from the garden paradise, aware of their own nakedness and feeling the need to cover themselves in shame, and hiding from God. Adam had given the rule of the earth to Satan, and sin became part of the human nature. Man became slaves to sin (see Romans 6:20) and under the control of the “power of darkness” (see Colossians 1:13).

Do we wonder why God hates sin? Because it is a destroyer, a thief, and it always brings death! We were powerless to undo what Adam had done. Thankfully, God loved us so much that He already had a plan in place to deliver us from Satan and sin.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV

For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! Romans 5:17 NIV

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13

God so loves us – He doesn’t just love us – He extremely loves us! That is good news!

I had purposely never seen Mel Gibson’s movie The Passion of Christ, because I knew that it would be difficult to watch. On Sunday morning, excerpts were shown during the pastor’s sermon.  And it was difficult to watch, but I realized that I had been a coward to avoid seeing it. Jesus knew what He was going to suffer for us, and He chose to come to us anyway. If we really want to know if God loves us, we only have to look at the cross. The cross is not about the wrath of God; it is about the love of God for us. God was on the cross taking our punishment upon Himself. He came for each and every one of us. May we all get a new revelation of the Father’s love this Easter season.

This article will complete the “IS THE GOSPEL GOOD NEWS?” series, but, having laid this foundation we will continue to explore the riches of “the kingdom of the Son” for it is a kingdom of abundance.

I would like to share a love letter from the Father that I recently discovered, and sharing with the permission of that website. I recommend the www.fathersloveletter.com. site; it has more great resources on this subject.

Love, Hugs, and Blessings,

Syandra

My Child,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalm 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad
Almighty God

Father's Love Letter used by permission Father Heart Communications © 1999-2013 www.FathersLoveLetter.com