Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Four Reasons God Doesn't Love Beth More

My friend, Leah, invited me to link this post to the Loft - which is a community of Christian bloggers.
Click here to find out more!

***Please note:
I am playing with words. Of course I don't mean God doesn't love Beth Moore.

OK. Read on. *smile*

Have you ever felt like there's "another woman"?

I don't mean in your earthly relationships.

I'm talking about with God.

Have you ever felt like there's another woman whom He loves more than you?

You know, the woman who is more patient with her kids than you are with yours. The woman who has a "bigger", more "successful" ministry than you. The woman who seems to always have the godly answers and can quote Scripture like nobody's business.
Yes, that woman. She's so beautiful (inside and out), she's gracious and loving and everything you wish you were, and you just can't get over the thought that God must love her more than He loves you.
He must! How could He not?
She's just so, so...lovable!

I've envied known a woman like that before. Or two. OK, I've known several.
For simplicity's sake, let's just say there's one.
And let's call her "Beth".
I've struggled with my security when I look at Beth. Because I've been sure God loves her more than He loves me. I've been sure Beth is more worthy of God's love than I am. Because she's better than me. More patient. More polished. More sought-after. More beautiful. More compassionate. I see her as more blessed, and can only conclude that God loves Beth more than He loves me.

Have you experienced the same feeling?

If you have, then get ready for some good news. It isn't true!
Let's look together at the Bible to discover four reasons why God doesn't love Beth more than He loves us.

1. God's love for us does not depend on our performance.
Psalm 94:18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
1 John 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
If it were true that what we do increases or decreases God's love for us, then it would be reasonable to believe He loves Beth more. But His Word is clear: when we slip, when we sin, when we don't even love God - still, He loves us. So, that woman who does everything better than you, the one who is more successful, the one who never messes up; God doesn't love her more than He loves you.

2. God's love is too massive to be measured.
Psalm 36:5 Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.
Psalm 107:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Ephesians 3:17-19 And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Quite simply, God's love has no limits. We cannot measure it. Can.not.
And if we cannot measure it, how can we possibly say He has more love for Beth than He does for us?
We cannot.
Because He does not.

3. God's love is not like ours.
Psalm 86:5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.
Psalm 86:15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.
As humans, we are prone to show partiality. It is common for us to love some people more than we love others. But God doesn't love like we do. God's Word tells us His love abounds - it isn't held back. He loves with perfect love. Not partial love.

4. It's impossible.
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
The Bible says there is no greater love than the love of one who lay down his life for his friends.
That is just what Jesus did. He laid down His life for me. And for you. And for Beth. So each one of us is a recipient of His no-greater-love.
And if we each possess this no-greater-love, then it is impossible for God to love Beth more. Because the love He has for Beth is no greater than the love He has for you. Or for me. Or for anyone else.

If you've been struggling with comparing yourself to someone else, feeling like you have to fight your way to get in line for God's love, I pray this post is an encouragement and assurance to you today.
1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

Karen

10 comments:

Leah Adams said...

Karen, this is, without a doubt, one of your best posts EVER!! So much truth here. So badly needed in a day of comparison and jealousy. Thanks for putting it out there. Would be a great post to link up at The Loft this week if you have a minute!

Kaira said...

Sometimes it seems like I'm the only Christian lady who just doesn't think Beth is all that amazing, or that she's as inspired as people think she is. I have a lot of thoughts about her mega ministry, but I will just leave it at that. And, how I'd rather go to one of your engagements than one of hers. <3

Rebekah said...

Thank you for linking up with us at The Loft. I appreciate the thoughts you've shared here as this is an area where I've also struggled. I love the truth you've put together, particularly the final point - it's impossible. Jesus died once, for all. There's nothing else he can do to love us any more. Thank you!

Karen Hossink said...

Leah - Thanks for the kinds words - and the invitation. :)

Kaira - I love it when you're wherever I am speaking. Thanks for being there. :)

Rebekah - I'm glad I could join you at The Loft.
Yes. Jesus died once, for all. Period!

Beth Herring said...

Powerful truth!

Beth E. said...

Personally speaking, I know for a fact that God doesn't love Beth more! *wink*

Wonderful post, my friend.

Kathie said...

It is easy to see why Leah requested you post it here! Excellent post and who could pass up the title - draws you in for sure! Thanks, Karen. Glad you shared!!

Karen Hossink said...

Beth - Yes, it is. Thanks for stopping by.

Beth E. - He loves us all perfectly. And that's good enough for me. *wink*

Kathie - Thanks for stopping by. Yeah, I've had that title in my head for quite some time. Just finally decided to use it. I'm glad it was a draw. That is what I was hoping it would do.

Arabah said...

I agree with Leah, this is such an important and timely message...and I'm afraid *Beth* is a common gal to compare to. Sigh. THank you so much for linking this up at TheLoft. We'd love to have you visit again :) It is such a special community.

Karen Hossink said...

Arabah - I will surely visit TheLoft again. Thanks for making me welcome.