Devotionals

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Knowing (being aware that) Jesus loves me is different than knowing (understanding, comprehending, believing) that Jesus loves me.

The difference between the two is that the first is a head knowledge and the second is the deep-down-in-your gut, filling-your-entire-heart, first-hand experience kind of knowing.

I know how to make a soufflé. I have never made a soufflé, but I read a recipe and I know how it is done.

I know how to change a tire, sort of. I watched someone do it. Have I changed one? No. Could I do it by myself, probably not, without help.

Knowing God is experiential more than just cognitive. Yes I know He loves me, how do I know, the Bible tells me so. But to be honest, there are many days that I wonder why on earth He would love me, should love me, could love me. And just re-singing the old kids’ Sunday school song is not enough. The accuser’s voice drowns out the sweet childlike chorus every time. Doubt and self-incrimination join in with a new chorus until the words blur more into something like this: (read it to the tune of Jesus Loves Me, it will make sense)

Jesus loves you?
So you hope.
Don’t you know
You silly dope!
How could He love one like you
Look at the wrong things you do!

Jesus does love us. More than we probably will ever fully comprehend until we reach glory. But His love is not like a teenage crush, all starry eyed and giggly. It is not like the lusty love the world offers. It is a love of immense depth and compassion on His part. Commitment all the way to the Cross, and then for every moment of our lives thereafter.

And He asks us to love Him in return. Not just on Sundays or when we feel like it. Not just when we see an answered prayer or an unexpected blessing. He asks for a total commitment from us as well, and a faithfulness to Him to love and trust Him good times and bad, forsaking all others (even dethroning ourselves that He might be enthroned in our hearts). Loving Him is both giving and receiving. It is gaining unimaginable acceptance, and giving up the right to rule our own lives.

My mere words cannot express all that God has in store for each of us. But I know that, at least for myself, if I truly want the King of Kings to reside in my heart, I must make room for Him in the Inn of my heart, just as it says in Matthew 3:3 “Prepare Ye the way of the Lord”.

What obstacles are there in your heart, mind and soul that impede receiving the magnitude of God’s love? May I urge you to allow God to reveal these obstacles, the enemies that impede understanding and receiving His love? They may be areas of wrong thinking, or unconfessed sin. There may be areas of selfishness or unhealthy life patterns that the Lord wants you to stop. Grant Him the time to reveal things to you. Then together, working in harmony, let the “house” cleaning begin. It won’t be overnight, or a one time experience. God is committed to us for the long haul. And remember that in Deuteronomy 7:22 he says that he will clear the enemies out “little by little”.

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