I was driving to church one morning about to share a message on the significance of God’s love for us. It’s a thought that’s a Christian staple; important, but something we hear so much that it can err on the side of rudimentary.
As I was in the car asking God for His help to communicate this in a fresh way, I had a profound encounter with the Holy Spirit. He began to reveal to me the picture of the Last Supper in John 13, as the disciples shared this significant moment with Jesus.
There are three disciples in the spotlight of this scene: Peter, John and Judas. Judas, as we know, is about betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Peter is on the other end of the spectrum, constantly reinforcing his loyalty and love to Jesus publicly. And, then there’s John. He’s reclining on Jesus at the table.
John ends up writing something in his book of the Bible so simple, yet so profound that if we truly grasp it, will change our life. Referring to himself, he simply states, “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” It’s a seemingly casual sentiment easily missed. However, in this moment, it hit me like a bus. The lens in which I saw my relationship with God was far more like Peter’s than John’s.
I was spending more time telling Jesus (and others) how much I loved Him and how much I was prepared to do for Him than assuming the posture of John. I wasn’t leaning into Jesus with great affection, having a true revelation that I’m the one Jesus loves. And, that is what makes all the difference. I couldn’t earn it. I don’t deserve it. While he might think it’s cute (ha!), he certainly doesn’t love me any more if I utter grandiose confessions or even swing a sword in his defense.
In my car that morning, the Holy Spirit began to reveal the depth of what I believed to be such a simple truth. Now, through tears, I began to sing the words…
“Nothing but the Father’s love / the life in me / the air I breathe”
Realizing the divine nature of the moment, I quickly pulled up a voice memo and recorded what would develop into the chorus of our third single, “Father’s Love”. Released on Good Friday, it centers on the greatest act of love in history, when “God so loved the world that He sent His only Son.” (John 3:16)
If you listen to this song, my prayer is that you have your own encounter with the Holy Spirit and you would know that our Father loves you regardless of how you perform. When you wonder if you’re doing enough to be worthy of His love, know that no matter how exemplary your behavior, the answer to that question will always be “no” and that your ‘performance’ and the Father’s love are completely disconnected and isolated realities.
God loves you with an everlasting love without limits or conditions.
“So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, ‘Abba, Father.’” – Romans 8:15
Watch Influencers Worship sing “Father’s Love”:
*This blog was written by Mark Evans, Songwriter & Executive Producer for Influencers Worship. Follow Mark on Instagram to stay in touch!