Do you remember when you were a kid and you wanted to ask your dad to buy you something on his way back from work, and instead of going to him directly, you told the youngest in the house to do the asking? You ‘sold’ the idea to one who always seemed to have his way with daddy because you knew he wouldn’t refuse his request.
The apostle John was like that child daddy couldn’t refuse. He was frequently referred to as ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’ because he had such a relationship with the Lord. “Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?” (John 21:20). Does this mean the Lord loved John more than the other disciples? Of course not! He loved them all equally. Anyone of them could have put his head on His chest and asked that question, but only one of them had enough boldness to do so. This wasn’t boldness rooted in pride, but one based on complete trust. This is what I call ‘the love-response,’ that is, the response of one to the love of another, and it is very important. Your response to the love of others is dependent on your faith in them, and this in turn is based on the level of relationship you have with them.
You see, sin-consciousness has probably done more harm than sin itself in the relationship many Christians have with the Lord. Many are so conscious of what is wrong about them that they lose sight of God’s abounding grace and mercy toward them. This stirs up unbelief. You couldn’t ask your dad for everything you wanted for the same reason. It wasn’t that he wouldn’t give you what you wanted, but you were unbelieving.
God loves you and He wants you to come boldly before Him. Be strong in His love and His grace today.
