After Easter, What next? - The Love of God

Jollof rice, drinks, dancing, and jubilating were the order of the week as we celebrated the anniversary of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I mean, from our usual greetings like “Good Morning” and “Good Afternoon,"  we added a new phrase to go along with our greetings. The phrase “Happy Easter” echoed through the streets as the days were declared public holidays.

So, after all these greetings and festivities, what next? Or, to put it in a better way, what does Easter mean to you? I know it’s gone and you are wondering why I am asking this question. Well, as you read along, you will understand more. I’m not writing to criticize the festivities that happen during this period (because I too was in on it); I am writing about not forgetting the reason for the period. Simply put, the reason for the season.

During Easter, there are different categories of people and how they view Easter. Some view Easter as a public holiday to celebrate and rest. Some others view it as the anniversary of the death and resurrection of our LORD and savior, etc.

A believer must understand that the death and resurrection of Jesus cannot be reduced to drinking, dining, a particular set of routines, and all of that. And it shouldn’t be reduced to the only time we christians remember the sacrifice of Jesus. While there is nothing bad in remembering the season with festivities, let us all share the love of God during times like this. The death and resurrection of Jesus, if not anything, teach selflessness and the fact that the whole gospel is based on love. 

Which brings me to the question, WHAT IS THE LOVE OF GOD? 

The Love of God

The love of God is the father sending his one and only begotten son to die for sinners. Imagine giving up your only child for people who do not love you. What would you call that kind of love? It’s simply unconditional; if God loved us even when we were sinners, how much more when we are now Christians? This scripture gives us an in-depth look at what God did for us: Romans 5:7–11 NKJV For scarcely for a righteous man will one die, yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Just imagine this kind of love. It is rare to find a love that shows God loves us for who we are. There is a common saying in Christianity that says, “Come as you are,"  and it is based on the fact that God loved us even before we knew him.

And this saying isn’t complete without adding “but don’t stay as you are'', making the full phrase “Come as you are, but don’t stay as you are”. From this, we can also see another way God loves us: he loves us too much for him to let us live our lives any way. It is true that he loves us the way we are, but what is better is that, through the holy spirit in us, he transforms our lives so we don’t remain the same. Let’s take a look at this scriptural reference below:

Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive His new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. (2 Corinthians 5:14–15). Furthermore, in transforming us, we are able to live our lives exuding the fruits of the spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Aside from loving us as we are and helping us grow,. His love is redemptive. What do I mean by redemptive? It is through his love that we are delivered from sin; it is not as a result of our works. Ephesians 1:7 says this: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. Our redemption is as a result of sheer grace. 

After he has redeemed us, we now have the opportunity to call me ABBA. Simply because through his love, he adopted us into his family. 1 John 3:1a Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!

Lastly, on this list, because God’s love cannot be contained in a post. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. No matter what situation you find yourself in, always know that there is absolutely nothing that can separate us from the love of GOD. When you were the worst version of yourself, he loved you. Just know that he will always love you.

It is well put in this scripture, Romans 8:35, 37-39 which says, “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below — indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Now that we understand a little part of what the love of God entails, as believers, we have been tasked with the responsibility of loving ourselves. 

Conclusion

On a final note, no one is asking you to give up your child for your neighbour. But in all we do as Christians, let’s learn to love ourselves. Not just fellow Christians, everybody. You can hate the characters they exude, but you cannot hate them.