By Cyndi

A Great Message

Many people think of the Father’s Love message as a great message. Just a great message. It’s just another “book” to put on your Christian bookshelf along with messages on evangelism, prayer, faith, and fasting. But I firmly believe what Jack and Trisha Frost have taught us for years — that the Father’s Love message is the bookshelf to which all other books are placed on. It’s the foundational basis for everything.

Love Is the Foundation

This foundation is based on what the scriptures tell us: God is Love. (1 John 4:8)  And even as the Apostle Paul shared to the church at Corinth, all things may fail, but love never will. (1 Cor. 13:8) We can do all sorts of things — good things — but without doing it out of love, it doesn’t really matter. (1 Cor. 13:1-3) So love is really important.

Does It Matter?

But does knowing the Father’s love really change anything? Does having love as the motivating factor behind everything we do make a difference? I would have to say, yes, of course! It makes a huge impact! If I grocery shop and cook meals for my family without a love motivation, it becomes a dull, lifeless routine. If I volunteer at my church without a love motivation, it becomes a performance or an obligation. Or if I have to read my Bible and have to pray an hour a day without being motivated by love, it’s dead works and I’m trying to earn God’s love. And the truth is, we already are loved.

When we know we are loved and accepted unconditionally, we are more able to love and accept others unconditionally. Freely we have received, so freely we are to give. (Matt. 10:8) In other words, when I realize that when I make a mistake I’m not judged or shamed, it’s much easier for me to not judge or shame others when they fail too. Or when someone is struggling in a certain area which may not be a challenge for me, in love, I can give understanding, prayer and support for them.

Knowing the Father’s Love Changes Everything

If I truly know the Father’s love, I see myself and others through a love filter, not a comparison one. I become more secure and trusting where accusations, judgements, and opinions no longer penetrate into my soul and derail me emotionally. I can now try things without a fear of failing. And then anything I do for my spouse, my family, or at church becomes an expression of love, not a duty or a “have-to.”

Praying, serving, giving, and even receiving can all come from a place of love. Love never fails. My strength will fail, my faith will fail, my loved ones will fail, and I will fail, but Father’s love never will. And that changes everything.