God never had to change his mind about you

Big Ideas

• God never had to change his mind about you. You’ve always been loved. Here’s why we’re so sure.
• Read Ephesians 2:1-10, 3:14-21
• If God is love, then his "judgement" is something good for us. It isn't punishment or disappointment, it is him lovingly making us more whole.
• God's wrath is his opposition to the brokenness of the world. It isn't anger toward you.
• He will not stop healing us until everything is made right again.

Questions

• Do you think that God's love for you can just be love? That it doesn't have to come tinged with disappointment or punishment?
• Think about the idea that the cross was not God needing to punish someone, but instead him going to incredible selfless lengths to unite himself to you and heal you?
• What would change about your view of God if you remove the idea that he will punish you without Jesus?
• Can you accept that God really is love, all love, for everyone? Why or why not? Would that change your outlook toward other people?