Steadfast means unwavering, unfaltering, persistent, committed. Who can really fathom how big is God’s love? John 15:13 speaks of it when it quoted “No one has greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” A very few is willing to die for a family member, and certainly nobody is so willing to die just for a friend. Who would like to donate his own life, and die for a friend when he can enjoy the greatness and fullness of life? This is the exact fact that the love of the Lord chose to defy. When the Lord called you a friend, He chose to die on the cross for you simply because He loves you with a steadfast love that can never be relieved. His mercy can never withstand seeing you suffering from the wages of your sin, and He is willing to die every time you try to waste your life to meaningless things, just to extend himself and show you His love. More than that, His love is so abounding that it shall never come to an end, and is refreshed each morning of your days. That is how big God’s heart is for you. That is how faithful He is to the love He has for You.

Where and when God did show this great love? He showed it when he chose to be beaten up, punished, humiliated, defiled, carry the cross and die on the cross in replacement of you. He who is blameless chose to drink from the cup of sorrow and sin to pay for your debts. Even if His body shivers out of pain and bleeding wound, His head is aching of the crown of thorns, His hands, feet and body are excruciatingly numb on the cross, He never chose to waive but remembered you and His love for you. He chose to finish the cross even if He has a choice to give up, heal himself and ease the pain.

Remember to personalize His love message, because it is made especially for you. For God so loved you that He gave Jesus for you, that if only you would believe in Jesus, you don’t have to perish, but you will have an eternal life in God.

So never falter in your lowly times. In moments of solitudes, whenever you feel nobody love you and nobody seems to care at all, give your shoulder a tap and softly whisper “God loves you, more than everyone else does”.

As I experience occurring pain in my low back due to slipped disc that was diagnosed few years ago, plus other pains due to other health symptoms, I can’t imagine the pain Jesus bore on the day of His crucifixion. He endured the gravity of pain, obeyed the will of the Father, knowing that nobody but Himself is the perfect and ultimate sacrifice for our sins.

Jesus, who is God Himself died while we were yet sinners. He definitely knew that there’s no other way man can be forgiven and be saved from God’s wrath since the first man and woman, Adam and Eve was separated from God because of sin. The Bible tells us that there is a penalty for sin – DEATH. The Bible also talks about two kinds of death: physical death and spiritual death. Spiritual death refers to eternal separation from God. It refers to spending eternity in hell.

If you made Jesus your Lord and Savior, and you feel bad because of recurring sins in your life and you feel you are not worthy of God’s love and forgiveness, know that God is working in your life right now. Even God the Holy Spirit is ministering to your situation right now. It’s the work of the Holy Spirit that convicts us of our sins so we feel bad whenever we sin. Remember God Word in Romans 5:7-11, “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

For all the wrong we’ve done, no question we deserve punishment. And yet God’s great love offers forgiveness, mercy, and grace. Know that sin involves a one-on-one encounter with Jesus Christ. It is never against us but against God and God alone. When we are in His presence, our sin cannot hide. The only right response is to acknowledge our sin and feel deeply repentant.

Of the entire crowd, Jesus singled out the little man in the sycamore tree and called him by name. That was awesome. Surely, the Lord stepped boldly into Zacchaeus life. The Lord not only invited Himself to his home, He hardly gave the little man time to think twice about it. Some would say that Jesus was a bit bold to presume upon Zacchaeus. Telling a host he must open his home to you? That was bold, but it was the boldness of love. Jesus ensured that His command would be well received, for He inclined the heart of Zacchaeus to welcome Him.

We sometimes feel that God’s love is too bold, persisting, and stubborn. We know that He love us, but we’re certain that that He’s irritated with our sins and annoyed with the constant ups and downs of our spiritual walk. If the Lord of the universe is offering us a bold love, so personal that He calls us by name, why shouldn’t we be with Him? God always uses such intimate language when He relates to us. He paints warm images of sheltering us under His wings, holding us in the palm of His hand, or drawing us close to His breast.

Maybe we fear total surrender to Him because of what may happen if we let go and love. But “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives our fear, because fear has to do with punishment” (1 John 4:18).

The words of 1 John 4:19 are so intimate: “We love because he first loved us.” If you desire to be free of fear, memorize and meditate on portions of Scripture that describe God’s love and your need. Read parts of John’s gospel to hear the heartbeat of Christ just hours before the cross. Read Psalm 51 to grasp the bitterness of sin…then enjoy the Song of Songs to find warm and intimate language of love.

The love of God is bold, daring and courageous. When you consider that it’s the Lord of the universe who steps up to the door of your heart and knocks for entrance, only a fool would refuse Him entry. Like Zacchaeus, Jesus invites Himself into your life, bringing His own joy and welcome. And just as He did with Zacchaeus, He tells you not to hesitate.

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelations 3:20).

Many of us Christians today, once confronted with the same question by our pals or co-workers we tend drop the subject by just saying yes and period. It seems like we’re ashamed to declare before the world that we are Christians and we have personal relationship with Jesus. What are we afraid of? We have a great God, powerful, all-knowing God on our side. If we’ve truly known Him for who He is, and understand His will and plans for our lives, then from the abundance of our hearts, that is, full of gratitude and love to God, our mouth will speak of God’s love and grace. We can declare with confidence and conviction that we do have a personal, intimate relationship with the Lord. Who knows if the person who asked if you know Jesus is actually searching for Him and would want you to tell him more about Jesus and how he could have Jesus in his life? That brief question is a clear opportunity to share God’s message of salvation to that person. More than a head knowledge, may we desire a heart knowledge of the Lord so we could feel his heartbeat. His heartbeat is love for the lost and dying souls. If we are so close to the Lord, then we would be able to feel his heartbeat and we would have the passion for the lost souls.

Knowing about Christ is one thing; it’s just a head knowledge. Knowing Him is another thing. Knowing Christ for who He really is would definitely guarantee a wonderful experience in Christ. Christianity is more than just avoiding sins or going through life quietly. It is about creating an impact by our wise ways and kind, gracious speech, through which Christ is properly represented, thus giving justice to our assignment as His ambassadors. In 2 Corinthians 5:20 it says, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God”. When people see how we make decisions, how we behave wherever we are, at work or at home, do we make a difference? Are we able to make an impact even in seemingly small things? If we are experiencing Christ’s love and forgiveness in our own lives, then we are empowered and privileged to make a difference. If being a Christian was a crime, would there be enough evidence in our lives for a conviction? As we experience Christ in our own lives while still living in this world, let’s make a difference for the glory of God by the help of the Holy Spirit. How can we, on our own lives, create a positive impact for Christ? Paul exhorts, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:5-6).

Do we personally, intimately, experientially know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord? Our salvation is God’s gift. Have you accepted this gift? Are you walking in a manner worthy of your calling as God’s adopted child?