Religion says, "Prove yourself faithful, then I will accept and love you." God's love for us says, "I love you for who you are, and I want to remove the barrier of sin between us. I will send my own Son to die in place of your sins, and if you will just believe that this is true, I will indeed forgive your sins and clothe you with my righteousness!" But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
It is clear from the verse above that God loves us for who we are, not because of anything we have done. It is indeed the gift of God, and not something that we could ever earn.
That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:7-9
Jesus demonstrated the deep and awesome love of God when He laid down His life for us. Jesus even said that there is no greater way to demonstrate your love for somebody, than to lie down your life for them:
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
All the while, religion sits there and says, "I have earned my relationship with God... I deserve God's goodness, because I have been good." Look at this parable Jesus told of the religious man versus the humble sinner who repents before the Lord:
And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 18:9-14
If you're going before the Lord, feeling that you've done something to earn His grace and mercy, then you can forget about it! As we can see from this passage, God is not interested in self-righteousness, but rather a humble and contrite heart. The Bible says that it is a broken and contrite heart that the Lord will not despise.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalms 51:17
A more accurate picture of God's love and mercy is found in the book of Hosea or for a more brief look at God's love, be sure to read Jeremiah 3:11-22.
God's Word goes on to tell us that it is by God's great love for us, that we are drawn to repentance:
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? Romans 2:4
Also look at this scripture:
...Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3.
[It is clear from the verse above that God loves us for who we are, not because of anything we have done. It is indeed the gift of God, and not something that we could ever earn.]
Excuse me while I shout to the Lord, right here!!!!!!!!
[Jesus demonstrated the deep and awesome love of God when He laid down His life for us. Jesus even said that there is no greater way to demonstrate your love for somebody, than to lie down your life for them: ]
