Related somewhat to God's forgiveness is the truth that God loves us no matter what we do -- we cannot earn or "lose" God's love by our actions.

WHY IS UNDERSTANDING THIS TRUTH IMPORTANT?

When we first come to God, most of us realize we are not saved by what we do and graciously accept God's love and forgiveness. After we are saved, however, it can become easy to operate under the idea that God view of us is based on what we do. Living this way has many negative results: being "tired out" in our walk with God because we're trying to “earn” His love through our actions; thinking we’re no longer saved because of what we’ve done; and feeling discouragement because we don’t think God loves us.

We will grow weary and discouraged if we are trying to earn God's love or are constantly worried about whether or not He still loves us. These feelings will severely limit our ability to relate with God as He intended and may even cause us to "give up" because we are so tired of trying to make sure God is happy.

THE TRUTH: GOD'S LOVE FOR US ISN'T BASED ON HOW "GOOD" WE ARE

It is easy to think that God loves us based on what we do. But when we believe this, we buy into the lie that we’re not good enough or that what Jesus did for us on the cross wasn’t good enough. God’s unconditional love is a major theme in Christianity. It’s what the salvation message is about; God loves us, His enemies, not because of anything we do, but because of His grace. If God so readily loves His enemies, how much more quickly will He love and forgive His own children!?!

He loved us before we turned to Him, and He will continue to love us as we walk with Him.

Romans 5.8 – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

It wasn’t our own good actions that saved us, and likewise, our messing up doesn’t “unsave” us. It was God’s grace – His giving us what we don’t deserve – that saved us.

Ephesians 2.8-9 – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.

God’s grace doesn’t end at salvation, but covers us as we walk with Him. This grace is the reason that God so eagerly forgives us when we are His children.

Romans 5.1-2 – Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.

Ephesians 1.7 – In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.

NEXT: Our Acceptance: Confessing Sin

If I have a hard time accepting this truth, what do I do about it?