Love and the Freeway

God is love.

Almost everyone believes this. The question is, what does it mean? Does it mean  humans can do anything they want, live any way they want, and God is okay with it?

“Hey, He’s love! That means He doesn’t judge. He accepts me just as I am.”

Though it is the title of an old hymn, God does not accept me, “Just as I am.” We are ALL sinners. Though He loves us, He does not love our sin. That’s the reason Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross. He paid the price for our guilt. THAT’S GOD’S LOVE!

Beyond this, yes, God is love. That’s why He sets boundaries for us. Rules. Right and Wrong. We can’t just live life OUR way and figure He’s fine with it.

Imagine this- A six year old child walks up to his parents and says, “Mother, father. Me and my friends are going to play on the freeway. Since you love me, you won’t stop me.” He gives a longing look out the window towards the four lane superhighway where the cars are zipping by at 80 miles per hour. “I was meant to do this,” he says. “I can feel it in my bones. This is who I am. Others play in their backyards and playgrounds. Not me!”

His father pats him on the head as his mother wipes a tear of pride from her eye.

“Yes, sweetheart,” his dad says. “We understand. Since we love you, we won’t stop you. Go ahead. Do what you feel is right.”

The child skips off, happily.

Ten minutes later, his mutilated body is brought back by his friends.

Mom says, “At least he lived his life the way he felt was right.”

Absurd, isn’t it? If a child wants to play in the freeway, mom and dad say, “NO!” If he persists, they punish him, lock him in his room; anything to stop him from making such a crazy mistake.

Don’t they love him? Yes! That’s why they put restrictions on him. They know better. No matter how much the child thinks he knows, they know better. No matter how right it feels, they know better. They are the adults. Kids don’t have their brains screwed in all the way yet. That’s why God gave them mom and dad.

Guess what? We don’t have our brains screwed in all the way, either. And many people, because of their upbringing, because of their environment, have a warped view of right and wrong. That’s where God comes in. Since he loves us, He sets rules. Not only does he love us, he created us, HE KNOWS BEST!

God loves us. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

Please note that one part of the verse- “lean not on your own understanding.” Our understanding is limited, clouded, maybe even warped. You can’t always depend on it. You need God’s guidance.

Yes! God is love. But because He loves, He has told us how to live. If we follow Him, we find ultimate happiness. If we set our own rules, we’re in for a world of hurt.

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