Why Me?

Have you ever found yourself wondering why God chose to love you even if you don't deserve it?

Many Christians and non-Christians alike know the story of Jesus' life. He was miraculously sent to earth by God, His Father, and was ultimately sent to save the world from a great demise because of sin. Along the way, He gathered up quite the following and performed some amazing miracles. He did this all in the name of God, His Father, and was trying to turn the population into believing in Him so they could go to heaven for eternity. Jesus' life ended on a cross for no fault of His own, but He chose to die anyways. He did this for us. He didn't know us because this all happened way before our time, but He died so that we could live in heaven eternally. Sometimes I find myself wondering - why did He choose to do that for us?

Even just looking at the story of Jesus' death provokes this question. The people that day were cheering for Him to be crucified rather than a murderer. They mocked and beat Him. There was absolutely no reason for Jesus to go ahead and die on the cross for those people, never mind the rest of the world in those times or now - but guess what? He still decided to die for their sins, pleading God to forgive them as He hung on the cross. Why? Because He was emanating His Father's love for them. Jesus did many things that just seemed backwards, but they all had a purpose. The crucifixion was the most important event of His life because of the impact it would have on this world. Who knew that this man from long ago would still have this much of an influence on us over two thousand years later? Only God. I've been hearing this story for just about my entire life and it still amazes me. I certainly wouldn't have felt the same way if I were in that situation, but Jesus wasn't of this world.

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

God knew everything about us before we were even a thought in our parents' minds. Isn't that amazing to think about? He knew what we would look like, what type of personalities we would have, and even what our likes and dislikes would be long before we were born. Take a minute to let this really settle in... God sent His only Son to die on the cross for our sins. If you're a believer, you've probably heard about and read this verse millions of times. You might know it as well as the back of your hand. You might be able to mindlessly quote that Bible verse, but have you ever really thought about it? Think about families that have only one child. I see them a lot in my line of work - I'm a teacher. These families will usually go out of their way to do whatever they need to do for their only child. They love and treasure their child. Now think back to the verse. God sent His only Son. The Son He loved and treasured. Sent to die on a cross for us - who didn't even exist at that time. Why us?

As much as God loved His only Son, Jesus, He loved us just the same. Jesus knew His purpose during His time on this world. He knew that His life would end on a cross for no fault of His own. He's omnipotent. Why couldn't Jesus do something to stop His death or change the series of events that lead up to the crucifixion? Because He's part of the Holy Trinity. Meaning that Jesus and His Father are one in the same. So He felt that very same love for us that God had felt. He knew what He needed to do so that we could have the opportunity to live on forever in heaven. He gave up His perfect life for someone blemished with sin like you and me. That is a love so big that I don't think I'll ever be able to comprehend it all. I couldn't tell you how many times I messed up, yet God is still there for me. Still willing to love me and give me another chance. He truly is the perfect Father.

"See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him." 1 John 3:1

God calls us His children. No matter what we do, He is always proud to call us His children. Many songs come to mind when I read this Bible verse, but "You Changed My Name" by Matthew West really stands out. The bridge says, "I don't have to answer to any name that the enemy tries to call me. I don't have to answer to any name but Chosen Child of God." We are chosen children of God. He chose us. The best part is that no matter what we do, He would choose us over and over again to be His children. That's God's love for us. That doesn't give us a free pass to live however we want knowing that God will still love us. Part of our responsibility of being a Child of God is trying our best to live like Him and follow the standards of the Bible. The second half of the verse says that the people of this world don't recognize that we're God's children because they don't know Him. If we're going about living life the way we want to, the world will never know we're God's children. We need to live in such a way that we stand out to others. That they wonder why we seem a little different. So that we can radiate God's love to others.

The biggest call of the Bible is the Great Commission - to go into all the world and preach the gospel. There is no exception. God wants us to share the Bible with everyone we meet. Why? Because He loves them, too. He wants to be able to call them His children and extend the invitation to live on forever in heaven with them. As I said before, God is the perfect Father. He wants all of His children to be able to come home to Him. However, not all of His children know His story. They don't know what God did for them or the measures He has taken to show His love for them all. We are called to share God's love with others. Honestly, it should be looked at as an opportunity - though I know it may not always seem that way. When we do this, we can show others even just a snippet of the love that God has for them. Next time you find yourself wondering, like I have quite a few times, why God has chosen to love you - remember that His love knows no bounds. There is nothing that you can do that will change His opinion of you. We are all a part of God's masterpiece. He's proud of us all and loves us more than we can ever know or understand. God will always choose to love you - no matter what you say or do. After all, He is our perfect Father.