Perfect Love

March 8th
Romans 8:31-34
31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Words of comfort, or words of warning? The answer might well be “both.” For this passage tells us that we need only concern ourselves with following Christ. If we do, then there is no point in worrying about living up to the standards of others. There is certainly great comfort in knowing that, if God is on our side, we have no need for other allies. At the same time, we must remain mindful that God, in fact, holds us to a fairly high standard—for just as it Jesus who sacrifices himself for us, who invites us to become one of “God’s elect,” it is also Jesus who condemns us when we wander from his path. The season of Lent offers us an excellent opportunity for self-examination, to reflect upon the love that God shows for us by not withholding anything from us—even sacrificing his only son for the sake of our sins. It is also a time to reflect upon the areas of our life that need attention, to tackle those spiritual home improvement projects that call to us. Let’s be grateful for that opportunity, and seize it with joy and enthusiasm! –Tom Sansone

“God did not spare his only Son, and God is not going to be soft on his adoptive ones either.” – The Hermitage Within

Practice – I will practice one act of perfect love today.