We’re All What?
We’re All What?
“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 NKJV
Will Campbell, a civil rights activist during the 1960s, now a preacher and author, was once asked to define the Christian message in ten words or less. He was being pressed by a reporter and the first answer that came to his mind was, “We’re all illegitimate, but God loves us anyway.” When offered the chance to rephrase his response, he stuck with his initial answer.
As negative as it sounds, I think this is such a fitting description. And it’s a message that must be taken to all people. It’s one that, correctly understood, brings the greatest sense of hope to all people.
We Christians must recognize our status in the eyes of God. We’re nothing, yet we’re everything. We do not deserve any favor from God, yet God has chosen to give of Himself wholly and completely for us – and not just us, but all people.
If we operate under this premise, people will be drawn to believe. Our message must be, “You know what, I didn’t deserve salvation either. I am no different than you, but He took me as His child anyway. I know He wants the same for you.”
Anyone or anything that suggests that Christians have done something to earn God’s love is a straight-up misunderstanding of Scripture. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us clearly that it’s not our earning, but rather God’s giving: “By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” God’s giving is not limited, although some Christian groups have thrown up smoke screens, teaching that there must first be lifestyle changes before someone is deserving of God’s love.
This is a lie! Not one of us will ever be able to do enough to deserve salvation, and fortunately that’s not the issue. Acknowledging our need for God, desiring Him in our life, and crying out for His mercy is the crux of the matter.
We were all once “illegitimate” children (Heb. 12:8), but we have all been invited into the most loving family – the family of a loving God. “When the fullness of the time had fully come, God sent forth His Son ... to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Gal. 4:4-5).
Adoption by definition means, “to take voluntarily as one’s own child.” This is exactly what God has done for us. And because He calls us His own “God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts” (Gal. 4:6).
It is through this understanding that we can call out to Him as “Abba” or “Daddy” (Gal. 4:6), understanding that He is an ever-loving Father. He is the Father who will never leave us, the Father who always loves us, the Father who cares enough for us to discipline us, the Father who always forgives, the Father who will never turn away from us.
If you do not know God as your loving Father in heaven, and if you do not know His Son Jesus as your Savior, please contact us or visit our salvation page. We will send you some literature to help you grow in a loving relationship with God.
By Tom Steere