The Romantic Rose
A man gives the woman he loves a red rose. It's a romantic spontaneous gesture of love. The woman accepts it and smells its sweet fragrance. She feels touched and her heart is moved by his love.
Now imagine the same scenario again. The man gives the woman he loves a red rose. Ah! How romantic!
But this time the woman refuses to accept it. Oh No! What's wrong? The woman says "I don't deserve this gift. I'll tell you what. I'll clean your car for you and I'll fully valet it, then I might deserve your love."
The man is offended and tells her not to be so silly. "You don't have to clean my car! I love you! I'm crazy about you! You're so wonderful!"
The woman replies. "I'll tell you what, I'll come over to your place and clean it. I'll wash your clothes and vacuum the floor."
The man shakes his head. "No! I love you and want you to accept this gift of my love. You don't have to do anything for me. You can't earn my love! Just receive it. Receive the rose as a gift."
What a crazy story!
The story about the rose might sound weird. The first woman had the most usual and natural response to a romantic gift, taking the rose and enjoying it. She knows she can't earn it. The man paid for the gift and it may have cost him something but that makes the woman feel valued and loved. The second woman had a different reaction. You may think she's a little bit mad, but sadly many people behave like this, not towards romance from someone else, but towards God. God loves us and he gives us His love as a free gift! Sadly people think they have to do something to earn God's love, His approval or His forgiveness. So there we go! The only thing from stopping Jesus from coming into your heart is you. Yes you - reading this web page right now! So why don't you open up your heart and let Him in? Jesus himself said these words in The Bible:"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you will eat with me."
Revelation 3 v 20 (NCV Anglicised Edition). Jesus also said:
"God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him. People who believe in God's Son are not judged guilty. Those who do not believe have already been judged guilty, because they have not believed in God's one and only Son."
John 3 v 16-18 (NCV Anglicised Edition).
