"He Likes It!" (1 John 3:1)

“He likes it! Hey Mikey!”

Anyone growing up in the 70’s remembers this tagline from a television commercial for Life cereal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLQ0LZSnJFE

The commercial was an instant hit and the phrase was attached to any situation when someone did not want to try something that was “supposed to be good for you.” The idea, of course, was that if something is healthy and good for you, it will not taste good nor will it be a good experience.

For many years, I viewed Christianity with a similar degree of disdain. To my narrow understanding, being a Christian was a litany of don'ts! Don’t do this or that! If you do this, you will be punished by God. It was all rules and no grace, no love. People told me that I would be a better person if I followed God’s instructions. It was supposed to be good for me. I wasn’t buying it. I was done with God before I ever started.

But God, in His mercy and grace, was not done with me. He changed my heart and once I confessed and repented from my sins, and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I saw God in an entirely different light. It isn’t about rules and admonitions. It isn’t about do’s and dont’s.

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.

1 John 3:1 (ESV)

It is about being in a relationship with God who created and sustains the universe. It is a willingness to do everything possible to please Him, not out of obligation but out of love. It is all about love. Jesus laid His life down for us, to bear the punishment that I rightfully deserved for my sins. He did it because He loves me!

I serve Jesus Christ because of what He did for me.

Guess what? I like it! Hey Mikey, I actually love it!

Praise God!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.