See how very much our Father loves us.
—1 John 3:1
Nineteenth-century British cleric Joseph Parker was asked why Jesus chose Judas to be a disciple. He pondered the question, but said he kept running into a more baffling one: “Why did he choose me?”
God chose you and me before the creation of the world (Eph 1:4, 11). I won’t presume to question his choice of you—but I’m with preacher Parker on this one: why did he choose me? I’ve spouted hurtful words, entertained judgmental assumptions, wrought selfish acts, and indulged sinful thoughts. Why would God choose someone like that?
Because he loves me. “Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved” (Eph 2:4–5).
Grace announces that God loves me
because of who he is, not because of who I am.