The Window of Receiving

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I had a small impression this morning. The sun provides both light and warmth for the earth. Without sunshine, it would not be possible to live on the earth. Even when clouds cover the sun, it is still up there providing the necessary heat to keep the earth and its inhabitance alive. Without the sun, life would be impossible. The same thing is true about God’s love; without it there would be no hope for the world.

Have you ever wondered if God loves everyone equally? Does God give more love to some and less to others? Do I experience more or less of his love than you? Is it difficult to imagine that God’s love for me as a Christian, is no more than he has for the darkest sinner in the whole world? It is true that he loves those who serve him giving them blessings along the way. However, his grace is available to all men the same. When a man reaches out with an honest heart, God’s love reaches back to him and receives him. This is the same in any country or social status. It is God’s desire that all men, both small and great, come to know him so he can save them from eternal damnation. God’s love is equal and he is not interested that anyone perish.

The impression came to me that people are like houses, and God’s love is like sunlight. His love shines its light and radiates his love equally on all men. The amount of love that man feels from God, is dependent on how far he opens the window of his heart. The further open we have our windows, the more warmth and light we will feel. The way we open our hearts is through first accepting Christ as our personal Savior, and then living close to him. This means that I live a current life, always mindful of doing his will. The feeling of his warmth in our lives is a good indicator of how close we are living to him.

Other ways that we open our hearts, is through prayer and Bible reading. As we prayerfully read God’s word, the Holy Spirit can speak to us. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, Ephesians 5:26 This verse speaks of God’s word washing us and cleansing our lives. This verse is in the context of Christ giving himself for his church, but it applies to all of us. This means that God’s word is alive, by reading and following it, it purges our lives of sin.

If we look at those around us who seemed to have a close relationship with God, we will notice that they spend time with God. It is not that God loves then more, but rather that they have opened the windows of their heart to let it come in. Take for instance the Psalms of David. He was called a man after God’s own heart, even though he grievously sinned. Yet, when he sinned, he admitted his guilt and turned to God. Many of his Psalms were written about his struggles and how that he found rest and peace with God. He knew that God was his only source of strength and God blessed that. He had his window of love open to God, and in turn God poured his favor upon him.

This may seem difficult for some, but each of us is personally responsible for how much love we feel from God. If it seems like God loves another more than me, it is because they have chosen to allow his love to fill their heart. Their hearts have responded to the sunlight of God’s love, and they in turn have opened the windows of their heart to let it in. The have chosen to have faith in God and to set their love upon him. In turn he sends his blessings down upon them.

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:10

God’s love is universal for all. Yet, if for some reason you do not feel that God’s love is for you, consider these verses.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelations 3:20

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3

May we all throw open the windows of our hearts and allow the sunshine of God’s love to come in. It will drive away the shadows and fill our hearts with peace, joy, and happiness, that no one can take away from us.