HOW MUCH DOES GOD CARE?

Caring. It means to be concerned or interested. And it describes the attitude that Christians ought to have concerning every relationship they are involved in. But what does it mean to care? What is involved in caring about God, others and ourselves? One way to understand what it means is to look at examples of those who cared. In this article we want to look at the ultimate example: How much God cares about us?
 

God sent Jesus to die for us. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Why did God send Jesus to die? It was because He cared so much about us that He did not want to see us condemned. But there was a problem. Sin! Why? Because sin separates man from God. Paul wrote in Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death…”. This means that sin separates us form God. One example of this is found in Isaiah 59:1-2 where speaking to Judah concerning their conduct as a nation, Isaiah told them,“Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.” In fact God can have no part with sin no matter how small or great. The seriousness of sin is seen in the fact that God demanded blood be shed for forgiveness. Even as a result of the first sin, blood was shed to clothe Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21). Hebrews 9:22 says, “…and without shedding of blood there is no remission.” Since all men are guilty of sin (Romans 3:23) we are therefore separated from God and without hope (Ephesians 2:12). But

God did not leave us without hope. Why? Because He cared. He provided a solution to our dilemma by sending Jesus to die and in that sacrifice He accepted forgiveness for all who come in contact with that blood. Romans 3:24-26 says, “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” The idea of “propitiation” is that of satisfaction. God wrath against us because of sin was satisfied or appeased by the sacrifice of Jesus. Later in Romans Paul says, “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” (Romans 5:6-9). 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” When we consider that God gave that which meant the most to Him, Jesus Christ, we can understand how much He cared. He cared enough to give the BEST! And He made the gift of salvation available to everyone who is willing to believe in Him and obey His gospel (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, etc.).

God also showed how much He cares by communicating with us? He gave us His word. Through inspired writers, He told us what He has done for us and what we need to do to be reconciled to Him. He did not leave us guessing concerning what we need to do. 2 Peter 1:3 tells us that, “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue”. Romans 1:16-17 tells us that in the Gospel of Christ, “the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith.”
In addition to this, His word tells us what is best. In many ways this world is filled with chaos. Man tries to offer solutions that will solve problems but they often fall short. However, God’s word is a perfect guide that if it is followed WILL work. If only man would be courageous enough to try it they would quickly learn. If governments really cared they would put aside their worldly pride directed AGAINST God and try His ways and the world would be a better place for it.

God continues to care. One might ask why does God allow a world that is so filled with evil, misery and sin to continue to stand and even prevail. The answer lies in the fact that God cares enough to give us time to change. We read in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” While the Christian might be eagerly anticipating the Lord’s return, we must realize that most of the world is still lost and once it ends, there will be no more chances FOR ANYONE. But as long as this world stands there is hope and souls can and will be won to Christ. So the fact that God continues to allow this world to remain is a demonstration of how much He does care.

Truly, God cares about us. But what is our response to His care for us? In coming articles we will notice what the Bible says it ought to be.