What if... What if ... you got married to a gorgeous woman? What if ... you had three wonderful children with her? What if ... one day you came home from work and found a note on the refrigerator that said she left you because she needed some space? What if she demanded her freedom? What if ... you discovered she rented an apartment for herself downtown so she could go clubbing with her friends? What if ... you followed her and watched her throw herself at every eligible bachelor in the bars and nightclubs her and her gal pals were frequenting? What if ... you saw her get picked up by a sleazy rich dude? What if ... he drove her back to his place? What if ... you knocked on the door to bring her back home and they both laughed at you, and then slammed the door in your face? What if ... she moved in with him? What if ... through one of her friends, you found out she was being abused by the man and used as an escort for other men? What if... you went to bring her home and she refused to come? Noticing her sad condition, what if out of love for her, you gave the man a lot money too help take care of her? What if ... she thanked the man for the nice things he bought her with the money you gave him? What if ... after a couple years of using her for sex, and renting her services out to other well paying rich businessmen, the guy threw her out on the street because he was tired of her? What if ... you found her, lost and alone in a seedy bar still selling favors for money? Would you still love her? Would you take her back home? Would you allow her back in? God would and God did! And this act of love was directed to you and to me. Have you not read the book of Hosea? "Go show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves his people, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes of idolatry." (Hosea 3:1) Have you not read Romans? "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) All we have is from God. The sun, the trees, the rivers, the fish, the ale, the birds, the bread - - it is all from him. But too often we give thanks to those things which did not provide that which we have. We give credit and praise to our own hands, our jobs, our money, our own good sense, or our intelligence. God gave those things to us because he sees our need, and he loves us dearly. This kind of love is what is known as "In Spite Of" love. He doesn't love us because we are great, wonderful, beautiful and deserving. He doesn't love us because we go to church, or give money to the poor, or sing songs well. He doesn't hold back his love either because we failed again. He loves us "in spite of" what we have done or didn't do. He loves Bruce Jenner. And what is more outrageous than that, he loves even me. A good friend reminded me of this yesterday - - we need to be above the bashing of people who make decisions we don't agree with. We need to offer hope to people who are confused and even vile. We need to be kind, because Jesus was kind to us. Even when we were his enemies (Romans 5:10). God loves Bruce Jenner "In Spite Of" the Vanity Fair cover shoot. God loves the Islamic Terrorist "In Spite Of" the be-headings. God loves Chris Weeks "In Spite Of" his cynical heart. "Oh, What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?" "Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Who loved me and gave himself for me.
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