HOW DEEP THE FATHER'S LOVE FOR US
1 John 3:1
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
My dad was well known in the area as being a good hunter. I remember people telling me that they looked up to his hunting. He taught me to read the woods and sneak on dry leaves and twigs, without making much noise. He also loved to float the rivers and cast along the shorelines for bass, trout and other fish. I was very blessed to have learned from him.
He wasn’t perfect, but he tried to do his best for us. He didn’t have a father that taught him to be a good and loving dad. With his faults, I was still proud and happy when people would say, “that’s Ron Hulce’s son”. It carried some value in my life. When I became known for my guiding and hunting, I knew much of my success came from my dad’s teaching. I was glad to be called his son.
There is a great song by PHILLIPS, CRAIG & DEAN that speaks to me of how much God loves me/us and how unworthy we are on our own. The first and third verses are below. Read them slowly.
How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss -
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.
I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart -
His wounds have paid my ransom.
When we put ourselves into this verse as the "wretch" and the one causing Jesus' pain, we come to realize how much He loves us.
Thank you, Jesus, for loving even me, the wretch that I am, enough to die for me. We should be proud to be called the “children of God”.
Now our response needs to be that we live for Him.
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