God Loves Sinners

by Heather Tietz

Ephesians 2:4-7

But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

God has a history of choosing sinners for His service:

Moses, who murdered an Egyptian…

Abraham, who doubted God’s provision…

Jacob, who lied to his father…

Peter, a trash-talking hothead who, after three years with Jesus, still carried a sword and fought dirty…

Saul — later Paul, who imprisoned Jesus’ followers, and the list goes on.

The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, and all of history, is overflowing with evidence of God’s grace for graceless people.

God loves sinners. Isn’t that a relief? He loves you. He loves me. He loves those who have never heard His name. He loves those too busy to say His name. He loves people, every one: the addict, the abuser, the liar, the slacker, the braggart, the selfish, the doubtful, the brash, the unforgiving, the unloving.

We all have a place in His heart. God wants to save us, all of us, from a life without Him, from an eternity without Him.

If and when you fail, don’t let your failure keep you from forgiveness. Keep going back to Jesus. Keep pursuing what is right. When you fail, embrace God’s grace. God is kind. He forgives and raises us up, over and over again.


Reflection

When is a time I stopped to appreciate the exceeding riches of God’s grace toward me? How does the grace of God make me feel?


Prayer

Dear Lord, Thank You for Your unfailing grace. I know I have failed You many times, and for that I am sorry. Please forgive me my sins. Please help me keep my eyes fixed on You. Raise me up to do Your will, I pray, in Jesus name, Amen.