1 John 4:9-11 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
I’ll never forget my son’s two-year-old birthday party. My wife, Andrea was frantically preparing to host a basketball-themed extravaganza where the crowning jewel would be cupcakes decorated to resemble basketballs. As the clock was counting down to the arrival of our two-year-old guests, Andrea came into my study where I was frantically preparing to meet a project deadline.
Culinary art has never been high on my list of skills or desires. I’m ashamed to say that my response was less than godly. In fact, it was selfish. I had crushed my wife but I felt justified as I hid behind a false view of masculinity.
A few minutes later God’s Spirit spoke to my heart about my unwillingness to serve my wife. It was as if God said, “If you really loved your wife, you would get in that kitchen and decorate those cupcakes!” So, I dropped my left my project and entered the kitchen.
After skillfully decorating a few cupcakes complete with the “Spalding” logo, Andrea asked me “Why are you decorating the cupcakes?” I answered, “Because I love you!” She later told me that my cake decorating was one of the most meaningful acts of love I had ever demonstrated.
Why did it mean so much to her? Not because of my Paula Dean imitation! But because of my imitation of Jesus! When I left my world of project deadlines and entered her world of birthday deadlines she felt incredibly loved. That is how God loves you! Jesus loved you so much that he was willing to leave his world and enter yours…to take you to His!
It’s not until you understand how much perfection Jesus left and how much pain Jesus entered by coming into this world that you will realize how much he loves you. No matter what you’ve done, you have access to the perfection of Heaven and can leave your sin-polluted world if you will only respond to the love of Jesus with faith and repentance.
Jesus came a long way to love you. The godliest example of love is when you leave your world to enter into someone else’s world so you can take them to your world.
Today someone you know really needs you to leave your world and enter his or hers. So, how far will you go to love them?