I received a call from my friend this morning. He is excited about how intentional Christ was about saving mankind and reconciling him to God in Romans 5. It got me thinking that He actually left His throne, riches, praises, peace and exchanged it with a manger, poverty, criticism, and constant opposition and affliction all for me. Not even being sure that I would choose Him over everything as He chose me. (1stJohn 4:19) He actually loved me first! You see this 1st Corinthians 13 kind of love. He didn’t judge, He didn’t mind I was in the wrong. He was patient and kind. Did not boast about being a king and I have to accept Him. He was gentle and I could not resist accepting Him.

Today’s call triggered my thinking that honestly led to discovering that it was a long-life choice to die for me. He chose me. From before time began. Genesis 1:26 tells me how intentional He was about creating me. And not just that, but in His own image. He chose to create. Though a weaker being, bound to fall into sin, because He is divine and I am just a piece of clay, He chose to create me and love me and to call me His own. So much love.

There are so many scriptures that have proved to me that I am not just created, and saved, it is a choice that was made to make me be identified with the kingdom of heaven. And what surprises me is how God jealously guards my heart to be His and His alone. Maybe I should start here;

“Praises be to God and Father of Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be Holy and blameless in His sight. In Love, He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ by His pleasure and will” (Ephesians 1:3-5 NIV)

So, it is not just a will, it is intentional, backed up with love, and pleasure. Is there a greater gift? That I am not just a creation, I am owned as a child belonging to God, the author of life. And where and when did all this transpire? The Bible is so clear, in the heavenly realms and before time began.  So, the next question would be; how did it come to manifestation?

“Yet to all those who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God- not children born of natural descent, nor of human decision or husband will, but born of God. The word became flesh and made a dwelling among us. We have seen His glory and the glory of the one and only who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:12-14 NIV)

After making a choice before creation to call me His own in the spiritual realms, He went ahead to create me in His own image. And at that time, I ran astray from Him, He became flesh and made a dwelling with me. He moved closer and called me His own. A choice. A glorious choice.

And you know what, before and till now my sins set me apart from Him because He is a holy God, but He is so intentional that He does not mind disciplining. And though the discipline is harsh and painful I am grateful, you know why? Because His intentional love has made me His legitimate child and so as father would do, He disciplines me till I get back to the good way.

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those that He loves, and punishes everyone He accepts as His son” (Hebrews 12:5-6 NIV)

I wish I could on too describing this intentional love that goes on to guide my every move but time fails me. In case you have been doubting His love for you, please trace back to where He picked you from and discover that it was authored before creation. He created, died and lived to take hold of you. All the pain and the harshness that you go through only proves you are not born out of wedlock but you actually belong to Him. When He is says ‘NO’ trust Him. He only got your best interests at heart. This my prayer for you, the same prayer Paul made to the Ephesians:

“May you grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fulness of God” (Ephesians3:18-19 NIV)

Always remember this kindness

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on me, that I should be called a child of God! And that is what I am” (1 John 3:1 NIV)