Undeserved Love

“The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.  He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:8-12 NIV)

It is tempting in life to think people should get what they deserve, particularly when their actions deeply hurt us.  An abusive father?  I’ll never speak to him again!  A friend that betrays you?  It’s over between us!  A girlfriend or boyfriend who abandons you for someone else.   I will never forgive!  It seems right; it feels right.  And they deserve it!

As followers of Jesus, however, there is a different model for us.  The Lord, because of His love and compassion, does not treat us as our sins deserve.  There is no question we are sinners; we have wronged God many, many times.  Yet, He chooses to treat us differently, not as our sins deserve.  This is the hard part of love—treating people not as their actions deserve, but with the compassion and mercy that is an integral component of love.  

And the truth is, God calls us to love everyone, including our enemies and those who have deeply hurt us.  He calls us to treat others in the same way He treats us. 

Today, think about the treatment you deserve from the Lord for the way you have acted toward Him.  Are you grateful that He does not treat you as your sins deserve?  Then apply that same love to those in your life who have hurt you.  They don’t deserve it, but, then, neither do you. 

© Jim Musser 2015