Conclusion
As you read this book, you may have noticed I missed some of the big events and teachings of Jesus. The truth is, I could have easily tripled the length of this book. John had the same struggle.
Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.
I chose to focus on stories that would call us out of spiritual complacency and into deeper devotion. My prayer for you now is that you have a renewed passion to give yourself more fully to following Christ, that you will set your eyes on things above. However, my goal was not to guilt you into deeper devotion. The church has too often used pressure, fear, and shame to lead people to obedience, but Jesus used kindness.
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
Heaven is not a reward for good works, but there will be rewards in Heaven for those who do good things. There are consequences for sin and rewards for good works, but God’s love is unconditional.
Do I love one of my sons more than the other if he is more obedient that day? No. If I do, it is only because I am not a perfect father. The other day we had a particularly hard day with disciplining Lincoln. That night when I was putting him to bed Lincoln asked me, “Dad, do you love me as much as you love Titus?” I nearly burst into tears. Before he asked this, I was frustrated, and my communication with him was not gentle. When I realized what was happening, I told him, “I couldn’t possibly love either of you any more than I already do, and I will never love you any less.”
I may give Lincoln a reward for doing something good. I may discipline Titus for doing something bad, but that discipline is motivated by my love for them. They can’t do anything to earn my love, and they can’t do anything to take it away. I loved them when they were being formed in Darci’s womb, and every night I tell my boys: “I love you forever and ever, no matter what.”
God loved you into existence. You don’t have to perform well to earn his love. Before you were born, your Heavenly Father sent his only son to die for you. You didn’t do anything to earn it, but he died for you. Let that be your encouragement to give yourself more fully to him.
