Does God Care?

You are not here by mistake. Neither am I. Most likely You and I are separated physically by some great distance. Most likely You have found these paragraphs some time after I have prepared them. Yet, we are here together sharing this moment in time through the ingenious flexibility and awesome power of the Internet and the World Wide Web. In all that the Internet has to offer, I eagerly offer to You something that is infinitely more awesome and immeasurably more valuable . . . God's Love.

God's Love is fully expressed by a single verse written in the Holy Bible.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, That whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

God Loves You and Me

God loves the world, that's you and me, and cares greatly for our well being. He uniquely created us different from one another. Yet, He loves us both just the same. The above verse tells us of God's Love, as well does many other verses in the Holy Bible (Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:4-5). You won't find an "IF" anywhere in the above verse, because God's Love is unconditional. There is nothing You or I can do to bring God to loving us, or to cause God to stop loving us. Isn't that wonderful! No matter how bad we mess up, no matter how long we go on ignoring, no matter how far we run away, God's Love never stops. God always has and always will love You and Me.

Sin Separates Us from God

Although God's Love never ceases, You and I can find ourselves separated from experiencing God's Love. This separation is the result of "sin". The Holy Bible tells us that 'sin' separates us from God (Romans 3:23, Galatians 3:22, 1 John 1:8). The above verse uses two terms to explain this separation. 'Perish' is an existence without a meaningful relationship with God. When we continue living a lifestyle of sin, a meaningful relationship with God simply cannot exist. Where God exists, being perfect and pure, there is no presence of sin. Sin just cannot possibility exist in the presence of God. 'Everlasting Life' is being in a meaning relationship with God, absent of sin.

There lies the problem. You and I cannot separate ourselves from sin. There is simply nothing in us, no part of us, and no effort from us that can remove the sin (Ephesians 2:8-9). And God simply cannot exist where there is sin. That's like a great chasm between Us and God. A chasm so wide our efforts cannot possibly cross it, so long our persistence cannot possibly move around it, and so deep our works cannot possibly fill it.

God Provides the Reunion

God, in His Love for you and me, has provided a way across that great chasm. The above verse tells us that God provided us with His Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:6, Romans 5:8, 1 Peter 3:18). Jesus was born as an infant and grew up in like form as you and me. He was tempted into like sin, which you and I so easily submit. Unlike us, Jesus resisted from sin thereby living a pure and holy life. As such, Jesus' rightful reward was an 'everlasting life' without 'perishing' in death. Although being without sin, Jesus was scorn unto an unjust death, even death on the cross (John 3:14-15). Jesus' death was not a result of his own sin. Jesus' death was an atoning sacrifice, taking to the cross the sin of the entire world. Jesus endured death on the cross to take away the world's sin, to take away my sin, and to take away your sin. This is the greatest expression of God's Love for you and me.

But, it does not stop there. In that Jesus lived a pure and holy life, He did not 'perish' in the grip of death. After enduring death on the cross, Jesus rose from the dead joining God in 'everlasting life'. We call this the 'resurrection'. And, this being the best part. And, in taking our sin to the cross, Jesus has become a bridge such that we now have a way to cross over that great chasm from a life of 'perishing' to an 'everlasting life' with God (John 14:1-3, 1 John 3:1).

We Must Accept God's Love

God's Love is clearly expressed in the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. The way is revealed to us like a light at the end of a long dark tunnel. Deep inside that tunnel we are surrounded by darkness, absorbed by cold, and restricted by walls. We know that the light is showing us the way out, the way to safety, the way to life. But to change our surroundings, we must do one thing. We must choose to leave behind that tunnel of sin, and join Jesus in abundant life (John 1:12, John 8:12, Romans 6:23). In choosing to join Jesus, the above verse tells us that we must 'believe in Him'. We must believe that Jesus has paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sin, we must be willing to give up the old life that we have been living, and we must be willing to begin a renewed life with Him, which is 'everlasting life' (Romans 10:9-10,13).

To this end, we join the resurrected life in Jesus Christ. The life being offered is not a future promise. It is offered here and now, today. No more waiting in suffering. No more uncertainty of the future. The above verse does not offer a promise, but promises an offer. All that is required is acceptance. And, this offer is extended to who? To 'whosoever'! Without restriction! That includes Me! That includes You!

Has all this brought you to a new understanding of God's Love, and the 'everlasting life' that awaits you in Jesus Christ? Have you come to realize the sin has separated you from knowing the life God originally intended for you, a life that was created out of God's Love for you? Has this new understanding brought you to the point where you are willing to abandon your present way of life and begin a renewed life? Are you ready for a renewed life with Jesus Christ? Than let us offer together to God this prayer.

Dear God. I know that I have lived a life in sin. I recognize and accept that You have provided your Son, Jesus, as a sacrifice for my sin. I ask that you forgive me. I now turn away from my old sinful life. I ask that you guide me in a renewed life, one that is in keeping with your will for my life. I ask these things in the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

WOW! My whole being is overflowed with joy. Space and time may separate you and me, but there is nothing artificial or imaginary about the joy within me right now. This joy comes from knowing that by repeating this prayer and accepting this renewed life, you have become my new brother or sister in God's family.

I would like to hear from you. I would like to know a little about had God has brought you to this point in your life, and how your renewed life is going. You may need some resources, like a copy of the Holy Bible, and I would gladly send a copy to you. In starting your renewed life, you will most likely need some support; so seek out nearby brothers and sisters in God's family, and share with them what you have experienced today. They will be more than willing to help and support you.

Whatever your decision today, God's Love is ever present to claim and hold. We would like to hear from you, to share the struggles, to rejoice over the victories, to enter God's presence together in prayer. Please tell us about the decision you have made today by sending e-mail to info@lakewoodfamily.org.