God's grace drives away all fear
Do you sometimes feel that God is judging you more harshly than you can bear? Does it seem to you as if he registers every misstep in order to later hold it against you? A look at the Bible shows who God really is: a God full of inexhaustible love and grace. Three impressive stories illustrate this particularly clearly. The first story tells of Hosea, a prophet to whom God gave an extraordinary commission. We read: "Find a prostitute and take her as your wife! You shall have children born of a prostitute. For my people are like prostitutes, transgressing against me and following other gods" (Hosea 1,2 Hope for all).
From this marriage, three children were born, and Hosea loved his wife deeply. Although Gomer returned to her former life, Hosea remained faithful in his affection. This moving event reflects God's relationship with his people. Even when we humans fall back into old patterns, God's love remains unchanged: "Go again and love a woman who is another man's mistress and an adulteress, just as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love grape cakes" (Hosea 3,1).
In the parable of the Good Samaritan, we meet a man who was often despised by the Jews at the time of Jesus. However, he was not guided by prejudice: "A Samaritan, as he traveled, came by, and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion. And going to him, he bound up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them, and setting him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him" (Luke 10,33-34).
The Samaritan helped unconditionally and didn't ask whether the injured man deserved his help. This makes it clear that God's love and care are for us regardless of our mistakes.
The third story shows God's grace in the parable of the prodigal son: "He arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him" (Luke 15,20). The Father doesn't wait for a confession of guilt; he rushes to meet the Son with joy. This is God's love: He doesn't demand perfect words of repentance, but accepts us with deep compassion, just as we are—not as we should be.
Many compare God to strict standards they know from parents or other authorities. They believe he registers every transgression in order to punish it later. The Bible paints a different picture. Those who want to grow in grace and wisdom must abandon the idea that God acts like us humans. God is neither petty nor resentful. He is not offended when we stumble, but rather meets us with unconditional love. The stories of Hosea, the Good Samaritan, and the Prodigal Son clearly show that God loves us not because of our merits, but because love is his very essence. Even when we distance ourselves from him, his love remains. Christ died for the ungodly long before they recognized their guilt: "For while we were still weak, Christ died for us ungodly people" (Romans 1:10). 5,6).
God's forgiveness does not depend on whether we have already recognized our guilt. It is a gift that is always available. Nothing can separate us from his grace. Perhaps you are struggling with old behavioral patterns, fears, or feelings of guilt. God does not turn away in disappointment when we relapse. He does not hold our past against us, but invites us to unload all our worries on him: "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love."1. John 4,18).
Those who turn to God with their hearts can be assured: His love is boundless, His forgiveness comprehensive, and His grace inexhaustible. God never leaves us alone—no matter where we are.
by Tammy Tkach
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