When I was a child, my fingers were plagued with an issue of warts for a season of my life.  Thank goodness for aging because my body grew out of this ailment.  Now, as a child of the 70s, we did not go often to the doctor (unless something was broken, bleeding uncontrollably, or protruding).  I know, not a pretty thought.  Anyway, when I was a child and struggling to keep the warts from growing or spreading, we found that smothering seemed to make them disappear.  Yes, you read correctly.  A Band-Aid wrapped super-tightly around the knuckle of my finger would smother out the wart, and before long, my finger was free of this persecution and plague.  (Well, all those Band-Aids & the aging-out process, and truthfully, I do not know which had the most healing power.)

When I was a kid and enduring this plague, I tried my best to hide the fact that this problem was part of me.  Daily, over and over, I covered the fact this ailment was part of my being.

Back then (in the 70s), I was not a Christian, and even though I attended church weekly with my family, I was learning about Jesus, but I did not yet—KNOW—Jesus.  Therefore, back then (when I was a kid), knowing about Christian love was something I saw occur, but I really did not—KNOW—Christ’s love in action.  That was then; this is now.  I am a changed person.  I NOW AM A BELIEVER.  I AM A CHRIST FOLLOWER, warts and all.  No, my fingers are not still plagued with warts covering my fingers, but my body is still plagued with sinfulness (warts), and often, just as when I was a child living in Indiana, I find myself attempting to cover, to hide my warts (my sins) so no one will be the wiser.

• BUT WE CANNOT HIDE OUR SIN FROM GOD!
• BUT WE CANNOT ESCAPE THE EYES OF GOD!
• BUT WE CANNOT RUN FAR ENOUGH TO COVER THE SINFUL ACTIONS WE COMMIT!
• GOD SEES US—WARTS AND ALL!
• YES.
• GOD SEES US—SINS AND ALL!
• &
• GOD LOVES US ANYWAY!!!!
• NO.
• GOD DOES NOT LOVE THE SINS WE COMMIT!
• BUT GOD LOVES—US—THE PERSON WE CAN BE IN HIM!
• BUT GOD LOVES—US—AND IN HIS AMAZING GRACE—WE CAN HAVE A FRIEND IN JESUS!

Christ’s love is not weak; Christ’s love is not flimsy; Christ’s love is everlasting, strong enough to meet any sinfulness head-on, and in that battle, God’s love will win!  God’s all-powerful love will defeat the devil’s enticing sin every time!

How, we might ask.  Thank goodness, God’s Word instructs us how in a variety of places.  Today, let’s SEE one Scripture.

I am reminded of a wonderful melody titled “Friend of Sinners” by We Are Messengers; within the lyrics, we find these lines that reflect God’s Amazing Grace and how Jesus finished everything—the work of God’s Salvation—upon the cross of Calvary.  If your today allows, pause to listen.

“Here I am God, I’m the chief of sinners/

Pretending that I’m not but who am I kidding/

You already know the truth/So why would I lie to You/

You don’t need my pride/You don’t need my excuses/

Without the blood of Jesus/The best of me is useless/

I’m unqualified for heaven/But You said that I’m forgiven/

JESUS, FRIEND OF SINNERS/

YOUR Heart is full of GRACE/

Loved me—long before I wanted to change/

Jesus, Friend of sinners/Your table is where I find that someone just like me could sit by Your side.

The Friend of sinners is a friend of mine. . . .”

We Are Messengers

• Bible theologian D. L. Moody said it this way—The world does not understand theology or dogma, but it understands love and sympathy.”
• The love of Christ Jesus sees with clarity.
• The love of God serves others & forgives.
• God’s love loves the unlovable.
• Jesus’ love touches the untouchable.