Paul describes the love of God as wide, long, high and deep. “That you…may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17-19, NKJV).
I want to focus today on the depth of God’s love.
Over the years I’ve heard from backslidden Christians who want to return to their first love. One wrote, “I lived for years in awful sin. I am back, but I fear God can’t forgive my unspeakable sins. I have no peace.” Another said, “I want to get back to Jesus, but I’m afraid. I am one of the worst sinners.”
Many people are tired of their lives of sin and heartache, but they believe God has a limit to his love and mercy, a point at which he says, “You have rejected all my pleas and warnings, and now you’ve crossed the line.” Many are embarrassed or convinced that they have sinned away their day of grace.
The prophet Jonah ran from God’s commission, and his disobedience would put the blood of many on his hands. God never left him, though, even as he floated in the belly of the whale, mired in sin and rebellion (See Jonah 2). Jonah believed God had forsaken him for his sin. “For you cast me into the deep…out of your sight…my soul fainted within me” (see Jonah 2:3-7). But when Jonah reached the bottom, he was forgiven and delivered. He received a fresh touch and a special calling.
The Holy Spirit is at work on our behalf even when we are disobedient. No one is too far gone; no one is cast off. The Spirit says, “Repent. I am right here with you and will bring you back.”
Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Nothing! “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
The blood of Jesus offers freedom, pardon, mercy and reconciliation with the Father. No matter how deep you have fallen, God’s love and forgiveness go deeper.
Oh, the depth of his love!