Modern Christianity will tell you that we have to follow certain rules and do certain things in order to gain God's approval and love, but that goes against the whole idea of grace and goes totally against the nature of God.
From the opening account of the creation, we see God creating everything and on day 6, he created man. On this day, God saw all that he had made and it was VERY good. Keep in mind that the other days were just good, but after man was created, it was VERY good.
In the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and then realized they were naked. When they heard God calling, they hid themselves. Now look at this, God came looking for Adam and Eve in the midst of their failure. God. Came. Looking. For. Them. They did not go looking for God, in fact, they ran and hid from God.
Many other stories are found, but for brevity sake, I will mention three parables that Jesus told. The first is the parable of the lost sheep. Jesus says that a shepherd leaves 99 sheep to go find the 1 lost sheep. When he finds the sheep, he puts the sheep on his shoulder and joyfully returns and then tells his friends to rejoice with him.
In the same chapter, Luke 15, Jesus tells the story of the lady who lost one coin. She tore her house apart until she found it, then she threw a party and invited all of her friends to celebrate with her that she found one single coin.
We all know the story of the Prodigal son. The son demanded everything that was his from his father, left and went and wasted his money with a lifestyle that was not becoming of a noble man's son. He got so destitute, that he started feeding pigs and, according to the law, Jews did not go near pigs. He realized that his father's servants were well fed and all, so he decided to go back and become a servant. However, the Scripture says that "While he was still a long way off, his father saw him...and ran to him...hugged him and kissed him". This is a perfect example of God looking for us because read it again. While he was still a long way off...that means that the father was looking for his son with expectation. It was not like he just glanced up and there was his son. No. The father looked intently for his son, and when he saw him, he ran after him. The son recited that he wanted to be a servant, but the father would hear nothing of it. He reinstated him as a son. The story goes on to say that the father threw a party because the son "who was dead is alive".
God has chosen you before the foundation of the world and is wanting you to be with him. There is nothing you can do to merit God's love. There is nothing you can do to merit God's acceptance. You cannot pray more, tithe more, be a better person. No, God just loves you the way you are. If you belong to him, he comes looking for you even when you do not want anything to do with him.
This song is available on the SMULE Karaoke App for those that would like to sing it. Just download it and search for me, WalterDyal.
lyrics
VERSE
I hear your voice so quietly upon the wind
A song of peace over me a gentle sound again
As you come looking for me I search for you desperately
CHORUS
Oh God be the lamp that lights my path
Oh God be the light shinning on my feet
Wherever I go please go with me
I’m chasing you relentlessly
VERSE
In the cool of the day You walk my way I hear you calling my name
I feel your love I run and hide I feel so ashamed
Still you pursue me You search for desperately
REPEAT CHORUS
I’m chasing you I’m chasing you I’m chasing you relentlessly (REPEAT)
REPEAT CHORUS
credits
released July 10, 2017
Words and Music by Walter Dyal
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