God’s Desire Isn’t to Condemn
By Andrea Chatelain
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” John 3:17
Dust covered my Bible. For a long time I was afraid to read it. I thought when I opened it, I would find all the ways God was disappointed in me. But the exact opposite happened.
As soon as I started reading my Bible, it was like God was speaking to me through those pages telling me I was loved and forgiven.
Parenthood has given me a fresh perspective on God’s love. I think of all the times I come home from work and walk into my house in excited expectation to see my children. The first thing I want to do is hug them and remind them that I love them. I would never walk in the house and start shouting all the things they did wrong and why they’d never measure up.
It doesn’t mean I don’t discipline my kids. I correct them when they snatch a toy out of someone’s hands or when they use unkind words because I want them to grow into loving people.
There’ve been times I’ve suffered the consequences of my bad choices, too. Where God has taken things away to teach me lessons and grow me into a better version of myself. I’ve learned discipline comes from love whereas condemnation comes from unforgiveness. Good parents discipline, they don’t condemn.
And our Father is the best dad around. He desires the ultimate good for His kids, and that is for us to be reconciled into close relationship with Him. He didn’t send Christ to drive us away, He sent Jesus because He loves us more than we can fathom and He didn’t want our sin interrupting our relationship any longer.
I challenge you to seek a relationship with your heavenly Father, to open your Bible and hear directly from Him. Instead of condemnation, you’ll find hope, love, and forgiveness—a new life with a Father who loves you.
Andrea Chatelain’s mission is to meet women in their struggles and love them forward with God’s truth. She's part of the Wholly Loved Ministries team, is a Midwest mom of three, faith and family writer, and college English instructor to immigrants and refugees. It’s her joy to lead Bible studies in her neighborhood, church, and community because she believes Jesus transforms lives when His people boldly seek Him. Her writing reflects her love for Jesus and heart for fellow believers. Connect with Andrea more online at www.glory-be.org.
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Originally published Wednesday, 29 April 2020.
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