What is the way of Jesus with His children, but love—incredibly credible love? What do I mean, you ask? I marvel that He can relate with us while we are being sanctified. While we are being transformed, He welcomes us near on the basis of His love and His grace.

Once again, I am at the core of a spiritual problem of mine. I don’t receive as Jesus would want. I am working on it. Truly, and I do well to know He is in me as I wrestle myself to receive. Why don’t I receive His love as I would want? Is it culture? Is it pride? A combination.

I think I am on my way. Jesus knows that I receive by faith—even as I receive Him as my Lord. So I live. So I proceed. I receive Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ accepts me. Abide in Him and He will abide in you, says the Scriptures.

Now remember, Jesus is telling us that our time on earth is brief compared with eternity—so all the better reason to receive His love now. He calls me to His love right here and now in all of the substance and activity of this life. Jesus says He loves us like Hosea to Gomer. Like a King to a whore—and all because He has decided to do so, to make the whore His bride. He washes and cleanses His bride, and He calls us near with this: He is with us—with love from His heart to ours. Amen.