I picked up this quote while listening to a soundbite from the film Junebug on the Ebert & Roeper Movie Reviews Podcast.
“God loves you just the way you are, but he loves you too much to let you stay that way.”
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6 Responses
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Liberal Christian theology might agree with this statement as well. Remember the WWJD bracelets? It is implicit in both that we are the ones that make choices to better ourselves. Was there any more to the quote than that? What was the context I wonder? If the next statement was, “…that is why He came to earth for us and took our punishment upon Himself so we could be forgiven of our sin.” or something very similar, I would wholeheartedly agree.
I’ve heard that quote from pulpits before and it can come off as trite in the wrong context or with no context at all…thoughts?
Posted by Barron
I have heard that quote a lot throughout my life. I agree with it completely but whenever I hear it it makes my stomache turn. I’ve heard way too many preachers speak that and then think for the rest of there message they can condemn whatever they want. The quote I think was originally meant in love but I think it is use way too often to point out the sins of non-christians. I know that’s not what you meant but it reminds me of some angry sundays I’ve had.
Posted by Cole
Totally Cole. I think that this quote can seem pretty condescending and trite if used in the wrong context. But at the same time, I feel that it is true in the context of our life. I have heard people (me included) who, after falling short in a certain area, have said: “well, God still loves me and accepts me for who I am; and I guess this is just who I am.” I believe in God’s unlimited grace, compassion and love. I believe that God loves us unconditionally, but I am glad that God’s love runs deeper and further than grace. I am glad that when I screw up, I not only receive God’s wonderful grace, but also his transformational power.
I know that God doesn’t just want to tell me “its ok” while watching me fall in trenches all the time, but he longs to help me climb out of them and make sure I never fall into them again. His love runs so deep that it changes me. ‘Cause isn’t that the point: Christ transforming who we are to be more like Him?
Posted by Ryan
Quote
“I am glad that when I screw up, I not only receive God’s wonderful grace, but also his transformational power.? Thats right on!!! You’re awesome Ryan I am glad I get to be your friend! It’s awesome that you think about life and don’t just walk through it.
Posted by Cole
“His love runs so deep that it changes me. ‘Cause isn’t that the point: Christ transforming who we are to be more like Him? ”
The point is that Jesus came for one reason: to save sinners. The Holy Spirit’s role is to sanctify us, but just like salvation, sancitification was accomplished at the cross and there is nothing that we can do to improve on that.
I could be wrong on this, but I think the creeds also affirm this.
Posted by Barron
I love the metaphor you use, Ryan, of us falling in trenches and God doing more than telling us it’s ok. Because anyone who has experienced God knows that we are never the same again. And it is so exciting and encouraging to me to know that God loves me, faults and all, at my very worst…but that He won’t just leave me to drown in my problems, addictions, bondages, demons, etc. Yes, salvation is life eternally with God after this one, but it is also freedom from the chains of the devil here on earth. And when Jesus touches us, He breaks those and transforms us. That’s what that quote means to me.
I find it interesting, Cole, that you have heard that used negitively from the pulpits on “angry sundays” because this saying is packed so full of hope and love for me, I wonder how people can use it for condemnation.
Posted by Sarah