If we can see God’s love through the cross, we’ve understood what Jesus paid for. Jesus is the full revelation of the Father. It’s important that we understand that Jesus came to reveal the Father. God as Yahweh was revealed through the burning bush and mount Sinai. God as Father was revealed through Jesus and Calvary.

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

We’ve heard it preached forever, and we can see that God loves us, but why? What’s so great about us? Does a parent need a reason to love their child? They only need one reason. “This kid looks like me.” In Genesis 1:26 it says “let us make man in our image…”

Now if God is our Father, the reason He loves us so dearly is that we were the only thing in all of His creation made in His image. The very nature, attitude, attributes, creativity and character of God were purposed in the image of God in mankind. We lost the image of God when we listened to the serpent and ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. And isn’t it funny how the word “demon” means knowledge. The devil has been playing people for centuries, making them believe that there is a special knowledge to receive.

God is not trying to give us special knowledge. He only wants to return us back to the image of God. “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” ‭‭ 2 Corinthians‬ ‭11:3‬

The life of Jesus is the image of God on full display, in full color. “who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person…” Hebrews‬ ‭1:3‬

“…He who has seen Me has seen the Father…” John‬ ‭14:9‬

So when we look at the Son, we see what God is like. We see His attitudes, His character, His power and His nature. So when we look to Jesus, we begin to see ourselves as we really are! One of the phrases that I hate the most is “but that was Jesus”. This phrase limits the power of the cross, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Himself said that He couldn’t do anything without the Father. We also are created in the image of God, and so He desires us to be just like Jesus. Jesus is the template, and Holy Spirit is the activator.

Without relationship with Holy Spirit, you will end up with head knowledge, and scripture memorization (which isn’t bad in itself) without transformation. “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” John‬ ‭5:39-40‬

God wants to talk to you. He wants to talk directly to your heart, and through the word. He wants you to know Him, and know who you were made to be. Let God love you. I don’t just mean, “agree that God loves you.” No, I mean actively receive the love of God. In that place, you have something to give. That’s where you’re transformed, and that’s where life really happens.

Thanks for reading, Jesus bless you!