“We love him because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 KJV
The Church must begin to leverage on the love of God for her. It is the love of God that draws people to God, not His holiness! If you read the book of Luke chapter 5, where Simon that was later called Peter first encountered Jesus, you will notice that God first showed him love. Then eventually when Peter found out that this God he was dealing with is holy, he said to God: “depart from me.” He said, “go away from me.” The two of us can never agree. You are holy so stay in your corner. Don’t bother me. And Jesus said to him: Look, stop running from me, I have a greater purpose for your life. The holiness of God made him run from God.
When Jesus resurrected in Mark 16:7, He sent Mary to tell the disciples and specifically told her to stop over at Peter’s house to give him the good news. Simon had denied Christ thrice and now was feeling that he was finished. He thought it was all over for him and nothing could ever happen with him again. So when Jesus resurrected, He said “go to Peter and tell him it is not yet over with you. I will still use you to preach to many around the nations of the world.” As you read this right now, you may be thinking that it is over for you here. But in reality, you are about to start.
The worst thing you can do to yourself as a child of God is to count yourself out while you are still breathing. There is no situation you are in that cannot be turned around by Jesus. We serve the God that is a game changer. He will change your game! And so when Peter saw Christ in John chapter 21, and John told him that the person making barbeque at the seashore and preparing fresh hot bread is Jesus, he jumped out and swam to the seashore to go and meet Jesus because he has experienced His love.
Further Reading: John 21:5-14
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Exodus 34-35; Evening- Matthew 22:23-46
Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.
