As Is

If you have ever shopped for a car on a used car lot, you have probably seen a sign in the window that says, "As Is". It is the dealers way of reminding us that the car we are looking at is used not new. Used means the warranty has most likely expired and that wear and tear has occurred. It does not mean that it is not still a good car, but it does mean it is not a new car and therefore we should not expect it to be new. If we are going to buy it, then we must accept it, "As Is"...if it has a scratch on the hood, then we must accept it as is...if it has a stain on the floor and we buy it will still have the stain on the floor when we drive it out of the lot. If we drive it for two weeks and the check engine light comes on, then remember you bought it "as is."

I was talking with someone this week who was sharing that recently they have been dealing with some inner issues from their past that have been stirred up in their present. While the person is letting God work in this area of their life, they said they also are trying to let God love them even before he "fixes" them. The person said letting God do that is just as hard as letting God bring about transformation.

I can relate to that. It is easy for me to understand how God can love me after he has fixed some broken part of my life, but it is hard for me to accept that God can love me before I am fixed. However, that is exactly what God does. Whether you and I accept it or not, he loves us "AS IS"...scratches, dents and all. Who you are right now, is who God loves. Romans 5: 8 says, "God demonstrated his love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." What's that say? It says, God looked at you and me and saw the "AS IS" sign on us and all that it means and in response he said, "I'll take him...I'll take her...As Is." And with the blood of his only Son he purchased us abundant life through Christ now and Forever. The only question left is, will we let Christ love us "as is." Will we fall into his arms and say, "Here I am...this is me...the good, the bad and the ugly," and let him loves us just as we are right now; trusting fully in his love and not in what we could ever do to try to earn it? To all who will receive this love, he freely gives it. It is a love that is like no other...Pure, free, amazing, unconditional love.

And once we let him love us "as is" and we think it can't get any better...it gets even better. God loves "as is", but loves us too much to leave us that way...day by day, year by year until we die he heals, frees, cleanses, transforms us from the inside out shaping us into the beautiful image of Christ. Get to know Jesus and you find there is no limit to his love...it just keeps getting better and better!

O, one more thing...since God loves you "as is" who has he put in your life that he is asking you to love "as is" for him?