When I was a teen, my parents forced me to attend church. The message I heard was, “Repent of your sins, or you will go to hell.” Confused, I thought salvation was obtained through a fear-based response. Witnessing a cold, rigid religion, along with the hypocrisy I saw, convinced me I was better off to live my own life, so I ran from God. 

      For years, the Holy Spirit pursued me. Finally, at the age of 26, I turned my life over to Jesus Christ. One Sunday under an open heaven, I saw my heavenly Father who said, “Welcome Home, son.” Following this, He filled my entire being with His Holy Spirit and His love.  I wondered, “Why didn’t anyone ever tell me that God is love?”

   1 John 4:16 tells us that God is love. The divine nature of love is who He is. We see God’s heart being revealed when, because of His love for the world, He sent His son Jesus. Not to condemn the world, but whosoever believes in Him may inherit everlasting life (John 3:16). Not only eternal life, but for fellowship in this life.  This is a revelation of God’s heart, who longs to have fellowship with His beloved sons and daughters.

      His acts of love reveal that His heart is for us. When Jesus drew near to Jerusalem, He wept. With a heart of compassion and mercy, He longed to gather the people as a hen gathers her chicks (Luke 13:34, 19:41). Throughout Scripture, we see His acts of love, revealing that the Father’s heart is for communion, restoration, and redemption. We also see that God has emotions, such as mercy, kindness, compassion, and patience.

    When Jesus walked this earth, His message revealed that the Father’s heart is for healing, restoration, and renewal. The lame walked, deaf ears were opened, blind eyes were opened, and those with disease were healed. In my life, I have seen the Father’s heart and love revealed to me. Through the healings, patience, restoration, and Fatherly guidance, His love is affirmed, and I am reminded that I am His son. 

    God’s desire is to give us a new heart so that we may know Him (Jeremiah 24:7). At the time we were born again of the Spirit, our hearts were awakened to know His heart, His thoughts, His ways, His passion, and His love.  Through intimacy with Him, we are empowered by His Spirit to rise and shine with the light of His glory (Isaiah 60:1-3). 

     The power of His love transforms hearts. A transformed heart has the potential to be filled with the Father’s love that we may be all that He has created us to be. As His sons and daughters, a people of praise and power that abides in the depth of His heart. In turn, they reveal the heart of the Father through their deeds, character and acts of love; “Because as He is in heaven, so are we on this earth” (1 John 4:17).  

  In His heart and love – Roy Roden

Eastgate Ministries, Camden, Maine