The Good Of The Father (The Fathers Love) # 2092

 

Yet God is commending this love of His to us, seeing that, while we are still sinners, Christ died for our sakes 

Paul to the Romans 5: 8, Concordant New Testament 

I heard the story of a gym friend of mine not too long ago while we were talking about things  we used to do.  In years past, my friend often found himself in the clutches of an addiction to alchohol.  Although not his proudest moment, eventually found his way free of his vices.  Enter the lady to whom he is currently married and this is where his story takes a wonderful turn which inspired me to think of my own relationship with Christ.  In the early stages of their relationship, my friend confided in her of his past vices, fully expecting her to be critical of his life choices.  But that's not how this story ends.  Knowing of his past choices, this young lady accepted my friend for who he is, and who he used to be.  It's pretty easy to see just how their story might encourage someone to think of all which is wonderful in a love centered relationship.  However, I took it a step further.  The words written by the apostle Paul speak to this same type of relationship we have with the Father.  That despite our former trespasses, He has given His love unto us and dispatched His Son to die for us {Paul to the Romans 5:8}.  This is the love which the Father has for us.  Not as condemned sinners as some in the church might proclaim, but as His loved children {First Epistle of John 3:1}.  God is more than fully aware of who we once were, and yet instead of condemning us for the punishment which we deserved, He dispatched His Son to die in our place {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  Make no mistake, we were the ones who deserved to die, not Jesus.  Yet what many within the religious theologies of the mainstream church fail to speak to is that we have died.  That old man we once were has been put to death on that cross with Christ Jesus {Paul to the Romans 6:6, Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  For what, then, shall we now be condemned?  

It's no secret that the institutional church is full of those who continue to proclaim that sin is a major part of our life.  I dare suggest that the church needs sin to still be active and alive.  But this way of thinking ignores the truth that it is through the love of the Father for us that we are no longer cursed with that sin condition.  We are no longer sinners nor sinners saved by the Lords grace as some in the church have taken to referring to us.  The Fathers love has given us a new identity within Him {Johns Account 14:20}.  He loved us enough to save us from ourselves.  Despite this truth, those within the church continue to speak to the lie that it is that which we have already died to which continues to separate us from God.  The evangel of Paul speaks to the truth that we're to consider ourselves to be dead, indeed, to sin {Paul to the Romans 6:11}.  The other day I had a conversation about sin with a friend who adheres to the Eastern orthodox theology.  When our conversation turned to our new identity in the Father and the death of sin, my friends expression changed to one of disbelief.  Such is the pull of the theology spoken by the church.  The theology which would rather have the Fathers children cling to the false belief that they remain in sin rather than acknowledge the truth that it is through His love for us that He has put that sin to death.  As through the parlance of the day, I choose love.  

With Christ have I been crucified, yet I am living; no longer I, but living in me is Christ.  Now that which I am now living in flesh, I am living in faith that is of the Son of God, Who loves me, and gives Himself up for me 

Paul to the Galatians 2: 20, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~