John 3:16

"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


I think that this is a good thing to remember.  God's motivation is, and has always been, love.  So often we fall into the mindset where we imagine that God is somehow limiting us or taking things away from us... when his whole purpose is to free us from our own limitations, and to offer us all that he has.  It is similar to our relationship with our earthly parents.  When we're young and in the rebellious stage, we could get upset thinking that they have all the power, and that they chose to bring us into this world anyway, so it is their responsibility to take care of us, we don't owe them anything.  And then we grow up, and we realize all they did for us, and start taking responsibility for our own happiness.  Very similar, except that God is perfect even when our parents are not... no possibility of legitimate claims against him.  He does everything he can for us, without taking away our freedom.  He stands ready to help us, to teach us, and to love us the minute we open ourselves up and let him in.  He doesn't want anyone to choose death over life... but he will never force us.  Today, let's accept the gift that God has offered us, and follow Christ... choosing freedom and eternal life over death and the captivity of sin.