. . . because of His great love with which He loved us . . .

 Ephesians 2:4

Occasionally, my father would tell us an action-packed story from his WWII experiences. My favorite ones described the so-thick-you-could-walk-on-it shrapnel that brought down his B-17 bomber. As the pilot, to save his crew, he bailed out last. By then it was too late to freefall before pulling the ripcord. He walked with a slight limp the rest of his life due to the intense impact of the opening parachute.

Scripture also contains action-packed heroic tales: Abraham and Isaac, Hagar and Ismael, Naomi and Ruth, and Zachariah and Elizabeth. The ultimate story, though, is Christ’s obedience unto death on the cross, a death that resulted in our gift of eternal life.

 Christ’s obedience portrayed His love (agape) in an active form—agapao, the verb tense of agape. Agapao also provides examples of God’s particular-way-of-loving.

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great agape with which He agapao us even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ… (Ephesians 2:4-5).

 It was this dynamic love that moved God to send His own Son to rescue us from our sin, His solution for our sinful nature. It was not based upon our worthiness. It was not based upon God’s emotions— it was based upon His Love—a Love that continually seeks our good.

Father, thank we can look to You to see how love acts. Thank You for loving us so much that You created a way to be with You forever. Thank You that one day we will dwell eternally in Your kingdom of love! Amen and Amen.

Linda Lesniewski                                                                                       

 *All verses are NKJV.