You had me hooked with my firm affirmation about Biblical theology that informs our mind about God that gives reason to love God at the beginning of the post. But my affirmation wained in the second half as it veered from Scripture. I'm pretty sure that the well reasoned and justifying dislike my wife has had towards me, a saint saved by the blood of the Lamb but still living in a sin infested body until glory that rears its ugly selfish head from time to time towards her is just a smidge of the dislike God has when we still sin. God loves us unconditionally but the frequency of teachers portraying our relationship to God like a cheesy hallmark love story between the female chocolate store owner and unemployed guy who has all the time in the world to dote on her to her liking has got to go. The relatively youngish hymn "In the garden" at the start of the century marked the beginning of this boyfriend Jesus stream of thought. Jesus loves us indeed. And He sees even the hidden selfish agenda I might carry in writing this response as a dislike-able offense to Him, His Father and the Holy Spirit...yet there thankfully remains for me surrendered to His grace and love "no condemnation."
And I was literally so hoping to be less negative in response this time around.
If I may gently push back. Indeed, God regards all sin, from licentious to self-righteousness, as abhorrent. It's the reason Christ had to die. But in no way does God identify Christians with their sins -- instead, he separates our sins from *us* concerning our identity, "as far as the east is from the west." Because he is God, he is able to be simultaneously grieved and offended by our sin, while also being warm and affectionate toward *us.*
Our position in Christ is firm. Our sin past present and future is paid in full and Scripture is clear, once truly saved, always until glory. But you are ignoring the many Scriptures that encourage the saint on this sin stained planet to carry a demeanor of reverence or holy fear in our attitudes and behaviors. You also ignore the passages about the judgement seat of Christ where if our works are not liked by God they are burned and we enter heaven "as one escaping the flames."
Your semantics may mean something I misinterpret. I can guarantee that Scripture supports God's unconditional love but His opinion about attitudes and behaviors He will either like or hate as they conform or not in light of such a great love by our Savior on the cross.
Wow! To really believe, in the depths of my heart, that Jesus actually likes me - me who has failed him and been ashamed to be bold about my faith in him - is knowing that he likes me really possible? Oh, it would be wonderful! There have been glimpses of this in my 50+ years of faith, but it seems there’s been more striving than resting. And how does even time in his Word become time spent with him rather than the exercise of disciplined time reading/studying the Bible?
Can it possibly be true that our Father looks upon us and says, as He said about Jesus at his baptism, “You are my beloved son; with you I am well pleased”? And this was before Jesus had been tempted, or performed any kind of healing or teaching.
Your prayers for me to truly grasp these things would be appreciated.
Such good stuff, Scott…especially at this time of year when so many of us are frantically trying to prepare/create “perfect” meals, holiday gatherings, and memories for our friends and loved ones. I especially love that you referenced Brennan in your piece. If there were ever a theologian who understood that God liked him, it was Brennan.
Amen
You had me hooked with my firm affirmation about Biblical theology that informs our mind about God that gives reason to love God at the beginning of the post. But my affirmation wained in the second half as it veered from Scripture. I'm pretty sure that the well reasoned and justifying dislike my wife has had towards me, a saint saved by the blood of the Lamb but still living in a sin infested body until glory that rears its ugly selfish head from time to time towards her is just a smidge of the dislike God has when we still sin. God loves us unconditionally but the frequency of teachers portraying our relationship to God like a cheesy hallmark love story between the female chocolate store owner and unemployed guy who has all the time in the world to dote on her to her liking has got to go. The relatively youngish hymn "In the garden" at the start of the century marked the beginning of this boyfriend Jesus stream of thought. Jesus loves us indeed. And He sees even the hidden selfish agenda I might carry in writing this response as a dislike-able offense to Him, His Father and the Holy Spirit...yet there thankfully remains for me surrendered to His grace and love "no condemnation."
And I was literally so hoping to be less negative in response this time around.
If I may gently push back. Indeed, God regards all sin, from licentious to self-righteousness, as abhorrent. It's the reason Christ had to die. But in no way does God identify Christians with their sins -- instead, he separates our sins from *us* concerning our identity, "as far as the east is from the west." Because he is God, he is able to be simultaneously grieved and offended by our sin, while also being warm and affectionate toward *us.*
Our position in Christ is firm. Our sin past present and future is paid in full and Scripture is clear, once truly saved, always until glory. But you are ignoring the many Scriptures that encourage the saint on this sin stained planet to carry a demeanor of reverence or holy fear in our attitudes and behaviors. You also ignore the passages about the judgement seat of Christ where if our works are not liked by God they are burned and we enter heaven "as one escaping the flames."
Your semantics may mean something I misinterpret. I can guarantee that Scripture supports God's unconditional love but His opinion about attitudes and behaviors He will either like or hate as they conform or not in light of such a great love by our Savior on the cross.
Thank you, Scott.
Wow! To really believe, in the depths of my heart, that Jesus actually likes me - me who has failed him and been ashamed to be bold about my faith in him - is knowing that he likes me really possible? Oh, it would be wonderful! There have been glimpses of this in my 50+ years of faith, but it seems there’s been more striving than resting. And how does even time in his Word become time spent with him rather than the exercise of disciplined time reading/studying the Bible?
Can it possibly be true that our Father looks upon us and says, as He said about Jesus at his baptism, “You are my beloved son; with you I am well pleased”? And this was before Jesus had been tempted, or performed any kind of healing or teaching.
Your prayers for me to truly grasp these things would be appreciated.
❤️🙏
Such good stuff, Scott…especially at this time of year when so many of us are frantically trying to prepare/create “perfect” meals, holiday gatherings, and memories for our friends and loved ones. I especially love that you referenced Brennan in your piece. If there were ever a theologian who understood that God liked him, it was Brennan.