…hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:5,8 (NASB)
Does the remembrance of Father’s Day bring you joy or pain? Hope fulfilled or empty? Let’s begin this short note by assuring you that the above verses are written for those who give their hearts to God and accept forgiveness for their sins because of Jesus’ sacrificial love at the cross. That perfect love of the Father and Son is the foundation of all love that will last eternally. The promise of the Spirit to pour that love on us is an activity that will change our past, present and future. You see, if any day or relationship has to do with the perfect love of a human being or the perfect outcome of a relationship, we will always be disappointed. The love of God demonstrated through the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is the love that will never disappoint.
Now, some people have a working “knowledge” of the love of God from John 3:16… it goes like this:
1 For God so loved the world
+1 I’m a part of the world
= therefore, He loves me
God wants you to experience more than just the knowledge of His love. Look at the verbs in the verses above: poured, given, demonstrates. Yes, Christ died, that is an historical account of love, but the word “demonstrates” tells us that something is happening right now… on this day. God wants to demonstrate a love for you in the present tense! The Holy Spirit has “poured” and will continue to pour the love of God into your heart… it is what is being “given” to you in this very moment. This is not a past tense truth, it is a living and active verb. Romans 5 and 8 prove it is an ongoing, experiential filling of love. And love, dear friends, is the most powerful verb of all.
So we pray for you…
Holy Spirit, pour out Your love on us today, Father’s Day, and throughout our lives. Help us be aware of how you are with us, demonstrating the perfect love of the Father, Son and Spirit. Open our eyes we pray. Amen
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3
Blessed Father’s Day,
©2011 Scott & Clare Loughrige