A Parent’s Love for a Child
It is a matter of relationship… the children of God are those whom He has adopted, those being the followers of His Son, Jesus.
The other evening our son came round for dinner, something he often does when his pay packet doesn’t quite stretch to cover the entire week. He knows his mother will always feed him, and even sometimes, make his favourite dessert - a fruit-laden, cream-filled pavlova. This is not to encourage him to mess up his budget and run short of funds, but to reward the efforts he truly does make as he struggles with his course in Reality 101.
After dinner the youngster put me through an entertaining quizz session. What would stop me from loving him? He suggested all sorts of horrors, and as I answered him, I knew that none of them could possibly stop me from loving him (even though I’d be visiting him in jail if he did any of them!) It has something to do with the love of a parent, a special kind of love. He enjoyed my responses, seeming content that he was truly loved. As we sat there together I thought too of how much our Father must also love us… that nothing can separate us from His love for His own beloved children. I was aware that the kind of love I have for my son includes total forgiveness, and that it must be so of our Father whose love for His children is even so much greater. It is just wonderful to reflect on that.
To be justified by faith in Christ gives a believer the legal status of righteousness before God. Repentance is required, a turning away from sin. It is also a response to such faith as obedience reflects a love of Him, a desire to be faithful to Him. It is a relationship of love, and a love that reassures of forgiveness. To make room in our hearts to fully appreciate that requires the forgiving of others… the more I forgive, the more I experience His forgiveness. The more I love, the more I experience His love. As His child, His love and forgiveness were there for me anyway.
Thank you Father for the child you gave me, and the gift of parenthood even when the way has been tough. It is a chance to know and enjoy You just that little bit more.
