“I will show love to those I called ‘Not loved.’” (Hosea 2:23); I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me.(Isa. 65:1); “Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness…. shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?” (Jonah 4:11)
Lord Jesus, these passages in Hosea, Isaiah, and Jonah tell our story. We are the ones who had no claim on your love, place in your family, or hope of heaven. Your mercy and grace are the only explanation. Hallelujah!
We were chronically, eternally lost, but you sought us and saved us. We were spiritually dead, but you raised us to newness of life. We had no righteousness, so you gave us yours. And the “We” in all these affirmations in your every-nation Bride, including many we struggle to want or love.
Forgive us when we think of our sins as monochromatic in a world of Technicolor sinners. Forgive us when we view our need for grace as vanilla, compared to the jalapeno-spicy-ness of other people’s failings.
More so, forgive us when like Jonah, there are people groups (Ninevites) we’d rather you destroy than redeem. Forgive and free us from our prejudices, stereotypes, racism, classism, tribalism, and every “ism” that contradicts your grace.
The Gospel is never “us-versus-them”; but “You-for-all-of-us.” One Day, we will finally love you with everything we have and are. One Day we will love everybody in our eternal family just as much as we love you. Help us love now, as we will love then and forever. So Very Amen.
