OK! Think WINTER! Freezing cold. You feel exposed – at risk. Plus – you’re shivering! Next thing you know, someone offers you a soft, comfortable, big blanket. Plus, it’s an electric blanket, already plugged in – cozy and warm. This word picture shows what it’s like to be covered by God’s love. Particularly in the cold of the world where you are sometimes exposed and at risk.

Covered By God’s Love

There have been times in my life when I felt I needed a special covering. Actually, a reliable protection. Interestingly, I suppose that covering is a force field – like a modern-day shield.

Regardless, I did find a covering. Frequently, whenever I need that special covering, I reconnect with this idea of a force field over my life. Matter of fact, I even have a name for that force field. Simply put – “God’s Love!”

In a complicated – often messy world where things can turn upside-down – the idea that God’s love is more than enough may seem antiquated. Still, the power that flows from God’s love is life-changing. In fact, it renews peace, joy, and purpose in your thinking each time you ponder the bubble of protection and kindness around your life.

Incidentally, this force field does not mean you don’t suffer or have troubles and trials. That’s not even realistic in this world. Nevertheless, being covered by God’s love is real. Additionally, it sets the tone for your interactions with the challenges of life.

Covered By God’s Love – Helpful Scriptures

For starters, let’s just say the obvious out loud. We’re not talking just about my life. We’re talking about your life, too! In fact, every person’s life. Whoever agrees with God and responds to the love He offers is given this force field as a covering.

As we explore being covered by God’s love, let’s look at Scripture excerpts for teaching points.

Romans 8:33-39 Excerpts

1. “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one!
2. Christ Jesus who died – more than that – was raised to life . . .
3. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? . . . in all these things [trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword] we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced . . . [nothing] in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 

What are the key points of each above Scripture portion? How about this –

1. No one condemns you. Certainly, not God.
2. Christ died – for you . . . and was raised back to life – for you.
3. No one/nothing can separate you from the force field of God’s love.

 

If there’s ever doubt in your mind about God’s love for you, that passage should help. Please –

• Open your heart to it.
• Receive it with –
  1. Eager expectation.
  2. Hope.

 

Realistically, you may have various reasons why you think God’s love is not unconditional for you. Perhaps a list like this –

• Too much past sin.
• Not enough good experiences.
• Strayed too far too many times.
• You’re just not special enough.
• You don’t think God exists.
• You’ve known too many fake Christians.
• Deep hurt.
• And on go the reasons.

 

Jesus’ Perspective

Jesus wants to share His perspective with you. Remarkably, He did some amazing things to give you a new life and new perspective to match His:

1. He chose to pack Himself into a human body to identify with you.
2. Additionally, He shared your human difficulties and hurts.
3. Through the cross, He pulled your punishment away from you and absorbed it into Himself. Then, He died your death. Quite literally, He became sin for you.
4. Remarkably, Jesus rose from death with power so you can live in Him. In other words, Jesus delivers you from sin and death.
5. Even more, He gives help for daily troubles.
6. Finally, He heals hurts.

 

That’s not all! There’s more.

• At this very moment, Jesus is beside God the Father, praying for you.
• Jesus loves you unconditionally.
• No one/nothing can separate you from God’s love.
• No one can condemn you when you stay hidden with Christ in God. (Col. 3:2-4)

 

All this through God’s love! It almost sounds too wonderful to believe. 

Be A Friend To Yourself

Regardless, of what you conclude about God’s love, why not be a friend to yourself? Don’t let personal doubt be the reason for not accepting God’s amazing love.

Actually, if you take this risk and live each day covered by God’s love, you’ll be protected by the most powerful force field there’s ever been. Additionally, this covering affects your perspective and choices.

In other words, this one covering over your life transforms your life. You become the very person God designed from the beginning of time.

Scripture says nothing can separate you from God’s love. Nothing, except –

1. Doubts.
2. Fears.
3. Pride.
4. Closing off to God’s love.
5. Not being “present” each moment.

 

That’s an important shortlist to remember. Actually, it’s a great action-point-list of what “not to do.”

Amazingly, staying away from those things keeps you covered by God’s love. To clarify, consider. God loves you all the time – no matter what. However, you decide if you’ll stay in the force field of His love. He’ll never force you.

Now, ponder four things to do:

1. Allow no barriers between you and God.
2. Know God increasingly.
3. Be God’s friend. (Jn. 15:15)
4. Enjoy God now and forever.

 

Be a friend to yourself by not doing some things and doing other things.

The Cross And God’s Love

Let’s take a closer look at Jesus’ work for you on the cross. As already mentioned, that work sets you free to be who He created. He wants to restore you to His original design.

Plus, the power of His love helps you live with strength and godly character in everyday situations. You learn to solve problems more effectively.

In other words, you can be a great person!

However, to become a great person, you must make your own response back to God. It’s so much more than head knowledge.

Your Response

Don’t cheat yourself out of enjoying God’s love. We already talked about being a friend to yourself. Additionally, God wants to be your friend. So, your action points –

1. Accept God’s friendship. (Jn. 15:15)
2. Step into His kindness and grace.
3. Live in close relationship with Him.

 

God’s love in Christ gives you so much. You become:

• Clean.
• Refreshed.
• Renewed.
• Empowered.
• Excited.
• God’s dear friend.
• Prayed for by Jesus, Himself!
• Confident nothing separates you from God’s love.

 

With a list like that, your best response is to dive into God’s love. Afterall, it’s your move. * Joyfully, respond to God’s love.

If you doubt God’s love, ponder these two options:

1. If His love is not true, you don’t lose a thing by living a good life.
2. However, if His love is true, and you don’t respond – you lose everything!

 

Consequently, if nothing can separate you from God’s love, why would you separate yourself from His love? Please don’t do that to yourself.

God’s Love means:

So, in summary, we confidently conclude – the three key points we already mentioned are true for your life:

1. No condemnation. Who then is the one who condemns? No one.
2. Jesus took care of legitimate charges against you. Christ died – more than that – was raised to life . . .
3. And there’s no separation from God. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? . . . [nothing] in all creation!”

 

Your Perspective

We talked about your response. However, you must also choose a perspective about God’s love. Here are some action points.

1. Be open to God’s love in every situation. Interestingly, this is true even when you’ve made mistakes or have fallen into sin.
2. Receive God’s love with eager expectation and no self-condemnation.
3. Be a friend to yourself!
4. Live inside God’s extravagant provisions.
5. Enjoy His love immediately and always!
6. Refuse to allow these things –
   1. • Doubts.
      • Fears.
      • Pride.
      • Closing off to God’s love.
      • Not being “present” each moment.

 

You’ve heard the saying – “It’s too good to be true.” In the case of God’s love for you, the saying is – “It’s too good! And it’s true!“

Application Thoughts And Questions

1. Living in God’s love increases your strength and godly character.
2. Is there any reason you would not believe God’s love?
3. What is separating you from Him?
4. In this cold world, have you experienced the warm blanket of God’s love?
5. Subsequently, have you realized there’s no condemnation when you stay covered by God’s love?
6. Are these things that God’s love can do for you – true in your life –
   • Clean.
   • Refreshed.
   • Renewed.
   • Empowered.
   • Excited.
   • God’s dear friend.
   • Prayed for by Jesus, Himself!
   • Confident nothing separates you from God’s love.

 

* Portions of this content come from our book – It’s Your Move – a devotional book that takes you through Romans and powerfully challenges you to live with perspective and purpose. You can find this book in our bookstore: www.aliveandactivelife.org/store.

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