God's Love Changes Hearts

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We hear a lot about God, these days, and many contradicting ideas on who He is. Some say, “I have my God, and you have your God.” Some say, “There are many gods.” Others say, “You choose your own God to suit you, to be more meaningful to you.” Still other say that you can be god! But I find all of these statements to be invalid. There is only one God—one Creator God who does not change. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, is the ruler of the universe, and is Someone who we should, honour, respect, reverence and worship.

The God I serve, the God I know from reading His Word, is the only true God, and is the God of love. He is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.” Psalm 103:8. God says, “Though the mountains be shaken, and the hills be removed; but my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of my peace be removed, says the LORD who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10. This is the God of the Old Testament!

We read in the early Christian church in the New Testament, after the cross, that God struck down two people, claiming to be new Christians, because they lied to the church! Is this the God of love? God knew that the work of spreading the gospel, the good news that Jesus came to seek and save sinners—God knew that this saving work would be impeded by false Christians. He did it because He loved those who had not yet heard the good news.

So, we see the God of the Old Testament, is a God of justice and mercy, and we find the same God in the New Testament. God’s conditions for salvation do not change between the Old and New Testaments.

You may leave today and forget the sense of God’s love for you. Don’t be discouraged about this, but take measures to allow God to show His love for you again. This is a daily work. The best ways to do this include:

• taking time out in nature to see the beauty and marvellous creation of God
• reading and studying the Bible, reminding you of God’s true and real character
• others may reveal a glimpse of the love of God by showing kindness, politeness and courtesy to you (this is the only way some people may come to know God… through the thoughtful actions of yourself!)

We see the angry, hating crowd, desiring the most brutal suffering on Christ, and we see the hurting, loving Jesus, asking His Father to forgive them, because they don’t understand. Whose kingdom do you want to be under? To not choose Christ, is to choose Satan’s kingdom.

There was a period in my life of about one or two years, where I did not choose Jesus with my whole heart. I found myself more selfish, and irritable, stubborn, rebellious, unmotivated, restless, and unhappy. But over time, God showed more of Himself to me. With sacrifice, I slowly began to change my focus in life. How could I go against a God who has my best interests in mind? Who always watches over me? Who made infinite sacrifice for me? Didn’t I care? Friend, don’t you care that God has done all for you? He’s preparing a special place in heaven, just for you? He will forever miss you deeply through all eternity, if you do not choose Him! He’s promised to give you victory over the devil. We said earlier that our God is all-powerful, so who are we to say that the devil is more powerful in our lives than God is? “Thanks be to God who, through Jesus Christ, gives us the victory” over sin and temptation. 1 Corinthians 15:57.

My life since I chose Christ four years ago, has only gotten better. The peace that comes with being in tune with God, and the joy of serving God and others is worth so much to me. God says, “For this is the covenant that I will make with [you]; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:” Hebrews 8:10. God’s love has changed my heart, and it can change your heart if you allow Him to. God has promised a better life hear, now, today, and He has promised a perfect place in the life to come. Won’t you choose Christ now, and from this day onwards, seek to know Him better?