![]() We want to be in control.Īll of these things-the shadow of shame, the sense that we need to earn God’s approval, and the desire for sufficiency instead of surrender-are lies that can keep us from experiencing the fullness of joy God wants us to have. We don’t like feeling needy we’d rather be self-sufficient. Receiving requires a type of surrender-which can be kind of awkward. Giving makes us feel valuable and important receiving puts us in a more vulnerable position. Then, too, we may find it easier to give love than to receive it. Sure, it is his grace that saves us, but what about after that? We think it’s up to us to please God by what we think, say, and do-and when we slip up or fall short, we figure we’ll fall out of God’s favor and forfeit his love. Or maybe our stumbling block is that we think we have to earn God’s approval. And so, unwilling to step out from under our shame, we (mistakenly) conclude that Christ’s invitation is not meant for us. There may be any number of reasons why we don’t abide in Christ’s love-why we fail to settle down, relax, and make ourselves at home there-but here are three of the biggest barriers to our thriving in connection with Christ.įor one thing, we know ourselves. ![]() Why not? Three Barriers to Receiving God’s Love We have the opportunity to relish our status as Christ’s beloved, but we don’t. It doesn’t matter who we are or what we’ve done nothing can separate us from God’s love! ( Romans 8:38-39)Īnd yet…we hang back. Just like the Father delights in the Son, Jesus delights in our company. I like how The Message puts Jesus’ words: “Make yourselves at home in my love.”Ĭhrist’s love, in other words, can be what forms us and fills us. In John 15:9, Jesus offers a remarkable invitation. The dictionary defines home as the place where our “domestic affections are centered.” Our home is a big part of what forms us. But the word carries a deeper meaning as well. ![]() At its most basic level, your home is the place where you live: your house, your apartment, even your city or town. ![]()
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