Being in a loving relationship with someone means that you enjoy being in their presence. You enjoy spending time with them. You go on trips. You go out to eat. You share time together. The best relationships are built upon quality time.

Do you see your relationship with God like this? Do you believe that God not only wants to save you, but also wants to be with you?

When Jesus died on the cross, he forgave us of our sins. Every sinful thought and action we’ve ever committed washed away by his sacrifice. His righteous blood was poured out so that we wouldn’t experience the judgment of God for all our sins. Praise God!

But, the work of the cross doesn’t stop at forgiveness. Forgiveness is a means to an end. The endgame of the cross is a restored relationship with God. Would you dare to believe that God doesn’t just want to forgive you, he wants to be with you? God doesn’t just tolerate you, he wants to enjoy a relationship with you. He actually wants to spend eternity with you. He loves you that much.

Listen to how Paul describes the work of the cross. See the repetition of reconciliation, which means restored relationship.

⁹ Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! ¹⁰ For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! ¹¹ Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Romans 5:9-11

I sometimes think that God just tolerates me. He just barely tolerates me. But the message of the cross is that God genuinely loves me. He loves me enough to die for me. He loves me and wants to be with me… forever.

Next step: Find a quiet place and time to pray. Pray believing that God hears you, cares about you, and wants to spend time with you.