Yesterday I talked about Christmas as proof that God loves you because He is serious about sin. He hates sin because He loves people and sin hurts people.
A lot of the basis for God seeking us is from stories in the Bible about specific people, or groups of people (mainly Israel).
This Sunday I will talk about how God proves His love because He is serious about seeking. That got me wondering if the Bible talks more about God seeking us or about us seeking God. I haven't found a definite answer yet but I suspect He is the greater Seeker.
A lot of the basis for God seeking us is from stories in the Bible about specific people, or groups of people (mainly Israel).
Most prophets in the Bible, God has to pursue to do his work and to give a message to his people. Think about Moses. Moses denied his ability to speak and be a leader of God's people, but he pursued Moses until he was convinced of God's plan for him. In the story of Jonah God wants Jonah to be a prophet to the people but he runs away. He keeps running while God pursues him to the point where he finds himself on a boat in the middle of a storm and Jonah comes to terms with God's plan. Through God's seeking of Jonah (as a prophet to the people, and thereby seeking his people), he sends a fish that swallows him and puts him back on shore.
In the New Testament Jesus sought out most of those who became His disciples. He sought the woman at the well. He sought Zaccheus.
Jesus told several stories about a lost coin, a lost sheep, and a lost son that were desperately sought.
In the New Testament Jesus sought out most of those who became His disciples. He sought the woman at the well. He sought Zaccheus.
Jesus told several stories about a lost coin, a lost sheep, and a lost son that were desperately sought.
As far as verses go this is what I found just quickly when I came across this question.
Luke 19:10 - "And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those who are lost."
Romans 5:8 - "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."
John 6:44 - "For people can't come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them from the dead."
Proverbs 8:17 - "I love all who love me. Those who search for me will surely find me."
Luke 11:9-10 - "And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks."
While some of the verses talk about us seeking God, it also shows that God is right there when we seek him. He is seeking us by providing the answers and knowledge we're looking for right in front of our noses.
And it is true because of Christmas!
And it is true because of Christmas!
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