What is God's Love?
A Shield, Not a Sword
Isn't God's love amazing? Now, some of you might be thinking, "Hold on a minute!" Because maybe you grew up with a different view of God. Perhaps your understanding of God is that He's always angry and just waiting for you to make a mistake because He's got a lightning bolt with your name on it ready to go!
Growing up, maybe you heard things like, "If you're sinning when the trumpets sound, then you'll be left behind!" Or maybe you were condemned for going to the movies or a school dance… maybe you even had to "Kiss Dating Goodbye."
If that's your experience, it's easy to see God as a harsh judge instead of a loving Father.
But what if God's actions, even in moments of correction, come from a place of deep love and protection? What if His desire is to shield us from harm, not inflict punishment?
How does this truth impact your relationships? Would this change how you treat your spouse, your kids, your friends?
These are important questions, and they're worth exploring. Because the truth is, God's love is not about control or condemnation; it's about protection, restoration, and unconditional love. This truth can revolutionize not only your relationship with the Lord but also how you interact with everyone around you.
Growing up, maybe you heard things like, "If you're sinning when the trumpets sound, then you'll be left behind!" Or maybe you were condemned for going to the movies or a school dance… maybe you even had to "Kiss Dating Goodbye."
If that's your experience, it's easy to see God as a harsh judge instead of a loving Father.
But what if God's actions, even in moments of correction, come from a place of deep love and protection? What if His desire is to shield us from harm, not inflict punishment?
How does this truth impact your relationships? Would this change how you treat your spouse, your kids, your friends?
These are important questions, and they're worth exploring. Because the truth is, God's love is not about control or condemnation; it's about protection, restoration, and unconditional love. This truth can revolutionize not only your relationship with the Lord but also how you interact with everyone around you.
Reframing the Fall: Choices and Consequences
Let's go back to the beginning, to the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. It's easy to interpret their expulsion from the garden as a harsh punishment for disobedience. But what if we looked at it differently? What if, instead of seeing it as God's punishment, we saw it as God's protection?
When God confronted Adam and Eve after they disobeyed, He didn't curse them. Instead, He explained the impact of their choices. He was fair in showing them how their actions had far-reaching consequences, but He wasn't being mean or vengeful.
God, in His love and care, explained how their choices would affect their lives. For Eve, it was increased pain in childbirth and conflict in her relationship with her husband. He prepared her for the natural consequences of the fall.
Similarly, when God spoke to Adam, He didn't curse him directly. Instead, He said the ground would be cursed "because of you." The natural consequence of the fall produced a struggle for survival.
Let's go back to the beginning, to the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. It's easy to interpret their expulsion from the garden as a harsh punishment for disobedience. But what if we looked at it differently? What if, instead of seeing it as God's punishment, we saw it as God's protection?
When God confronted Adam and Eve after they disobeyed, He didn't curse them. Instead, He explained the impact of their choices. He was fair in showing them how their actions had far-reaching consequences, but He wasn't being mean or vengeful.
God, in His love and care, explained how their choices would affect their lives. For Eve, it was increased pain in childbirth and conflict in her relationship with her husband. He prepared her for the natural consequences of the fall.
Similarly, when God spoke to Adam, He didn't curse him directly. Instead, He said the ground would be cursed "because of you." The natural consequence of the fall produced a struggle for survival.
God's Protective Love
As we can see, when God removed Adam and Eve from the garden, it was to protect them. In their fallen state, if they had eaten from the tree of life, they would have been cursed to live forever in their brokenness.
It’s clear that God is not a harsh judge waiting to punish you. He's a loving Father who allows you to choose then helps you navigate the consequences of those choices. This view of God changes everything!
As we can see, when God removed Adam and Eve from the garden, it was to protect them. In their fallen state, if they had eaten from the tree of life, they would have been cursed to live forever in their brokenness.
It’s clear that God is not a harsh judge waiting to punish you. He's a loving Father who allows you to choose then helps you navigate the consequences of those choices. This view of God changes everything!
The Ultimate Expression of Love: Jesus Christ
But the story doesn't end there. God had a plan to restore us to Himself, and that plan was Jesus. As 1 Timothy 1:15 states, "This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."
The Greek word used here for "save" is "sozo," which means more than just going to Heaven. Sozo should sound familiar because it's the theme for 2025. Sozo means complete restoration - emotionally, physically, and spiritually. It's a full salvation that leaves nothing lacking.
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate expression of love and protection. Galatians 3:13 tells us, "Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing." Jesus took your punishment on Himself, freeing you from the consequences of sin.
But the story doesn't end there. God had a plan to restore us to Himself, and that plan was Jesus. As 1 Timothy 1:15 states, "This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."
The Greek word used here for "save" is "sozo," which means more than just going to Heaven. Sozo should sound familiar because it's the theme for 2025. Sozo means complete restoration - emotionally, physically, and spiritually. It's a full salvation that leaves nothing lacking.
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate expression of love and protection. Galatians 3:13 tells us, "Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing." Jesus took your punishment on Himself, freeing you from the consequences of sin.
Transforming Our Relationships
When you understand God's protective love, it changes how you see Him. If you know His true nature - loving, protective, and restorative - you can "boldly approach the throne of grace," as Hebrews 4:16 encourages us.
This kind of love can even restore broken family dynamics. In Christ, you are a new creation, free from the curses and patterns of the past. You don't have to be bound by the statement, "That's just how our family is." Instead, you can create something entirely new, rooted in the freedom and love of Christ.
When you understand God's protective love, it changes how you see Him. If you know His true nature - loving, protective, and restorative - you can "boldly approach the throne of grace," as Hebrews 4:16 encourages us.
This kind of love can even restore broken family dynamics. In Christ, you are a new creation, free from the curses and patterns of the past. You don't have to be bound by the statement, "That's just how our family is." Instead, you can create something entirely new, rooted in the freedom and love of Christ.
Embracing God's Protective Love
Embracing this view of God's love changes everything. Challenge yourself to see God's actions through this lens of protective love, not punishment. When things get tough, ask yourself, "How is God protecting me through this?"
Remember, God isn't looking for reasons to punish you. He loves you unconditionally and wants to restore you completely. Now, you can truly believe, “God is good, and His love is amazing!”
Embracing this view of God's love changes everything. Challenge yourself to see God's actions through this lens of protective love, not punishment. When things get tough, ask yourself, "How is God protecting me through this?"
Remember, God isn't looking for reasons to punish you. He loves you unconditionally and wants to restore you completely. Now, you can truly believe, “God is good, and His love is amazing!”
Recent
Archive
2025
January
March