When I cried out to God for help, at the age of 26 - realising it was either Him or suicide - I had it in my head that He was this big ogre in the sky who judged every little thing we did and was quick, and more than happy to, condemn us for it. Jesus, on the other hand - I had somehow grown to believe - was most approachable and highly loving with it, so, not knowing any different, I asked that He would speak to God on my behalf and tell Him I was sorry for all the wrong I had committed.
It wasn't long before God was working on my heart, opening my eyes to see just how loving He really is; finding one way after another to prove to me that He loves me.
Last Sunday, in church, our pastor* said something like, "If you try to read the Bible from a scientific point of view, you won't get it. If you try to read it from an historic point of view, you won't get it..." so on and etc... "But if you read it from a romantic point of view, you'll get it. The Bible is a love story." (Loosely quoted) ...I love that. That's how God has revealed Himself to me: As a romantic, with the Bible and the actions of Jesus Christ being a love letter to "me"... and to you.
The Bible tells us that God is love. (1 John 4:8) The top THREE commandments (the top 2: Matthew 22:37-40 ~ and the new commandment Jesus gives: John 13:34) are LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! The Bible is a message of mercy, grace, forgiveness, hope, salvation and love, but until you put yourself into the position of being the recipient of these things, you may never understand this as those of us who have do. Until you see that the love letter and the acts of love were given in love, and were given for you, your heart will never understand, and therefore your mind will never comprehend, the truth, beauty and fullness of God's love and how deeply He loves YOU. Until you stop identifying with the ones at war with God in the Bible, and see that you are the one He's fighting for, you'll never even come close to seeing how adored you are.
He loves you... It doesn't matter who you are or what you've done, He loves you... and He loves you with ALL His heart.
* Steve Green ~ Pastor of Central Life Christian Church, Wadalba, NSW, Australia ~ http://www.centrallife.com.au/