God is not merely tolerant of believers because of Christ’s sacrifice, He delights in us.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Jesus went to the cross with a beautiful mix of joy and sorrow. “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,” (Heb. 12:2).

He loved us not merely out of obligation, but out of heartfelt joy.

He still loves us not merely out of obligation, but out of heartfelt joy.

He will love us not merely out of obligation, but out of heartfelt joy.

I wrote that three times in three tenses because I needed to hear that His heartfelt joy in me is, was, and will be true.

Josh

P.S. This idea came from a book called Love Your Limits by Kelly M. Kapic.

I don’t agree with everything he says, even when he’s making this point, but I’ve found “dialoguing” with this book to be good for my soul.