An undeserved love

I saw a T-shirt the other day that read: Nothing changes people more than being loved when they least deserve it. This T-shirt would make the perfect gift for the apostle Paul.

Paul’s story is one of the great stories of transformation in the Bible. This man spent years persecuting Christians to then become one of the most fervent missionaries and preachers of the gospel. Paul’s own life is testament to the power of Christ’s love and forgiveness to transform lives.

For me, Paul’s words are a much needed reminder that as Christians, we are not “good people” but we are “forgiven sinners.” None of us are deserving of God’s love. None of us are owed God’s grace, and yet, God lavishes this love and grace upon us nonetheless.

Receiving this grace and embracing our identity as forgiven sinners is a calling to share this gift with others, especially when they, too, least deserve it. For God’s deliverance is not for our sake alone, but for the sake of others that they, too, might know God’s unconditional and unending grace and love.

Holy God, pour out your love upon this forgiven sinner. May it flow in and through me to be a blessing to others. Amen. — LS