To the Bone: When God’s Love Changes Everything
Pastor Jay has been challenging us to dwell on the things of God - His character, His love, His forgiveness, and as we dwell with God it connects us to Him in deeper ways, tuning us in to His frequency.
This week he showed us how that connection doesn’t just affect our thoughts or behavior, it can change us deeply, down to our very bones. (Hebrews 4:12)
God reveals Himself to us in many ways. The most obvious example is scripture - a rich library of writings that reveal who God is and how He longs to interact with the world. But we also see God in creation and in the people around us who express God’s love and character. These glimpses may reach places in us, in our very soul, that we may not have even known needed healing.
I am reminded of one of my favorite movies, Les Misérables (the 1998 non-musical version).
It opens with a hardened ex-convict, Jean Valjean, just released from prison. A kind bishop offers him food and shelter. But during the night, out of desperation and survival instinct, Valjean steals from the bishop and runs.
He is quickly caught, then brought before the bishop with the stolen property, and… Spoiler Alert … the bishop covers for him. Instead of pressing charges, the bishop insists the silver was a gift—and then gives Valjean even more (much to his wife’s chagrin).
This moment of radical forgiveness shakes Valjean to his core. It breaks through years of anger and shame, and sets him on a new path. The act doesn’t just change his circumstances, it transforms who he is, from the inside out.
Valjean chooses to live with new purpose and compassion, using his strengths and resources to protect the vulnerable, forgive his enemies, and embody the same grace and love that was once shown to him. He did not simply take the silver and continue with his old life. He looked deeply into the eyes of the forgiver and knew he would never be the same. The essence of God was revealed to him, and he let it cut deep—down to the bone.
Change in us may come from seeing God’s love, forgiveness, peace, and goodness when we are reading the Words of Jesus or it can come when we experience the character of God reflected in others- truth, kindness, mercy - things that are “worthy of praise”.(Philippians 4:8)
Dwelling on these things can shift our perspective and reach into the deepest parts of us. As Pastor Jay said, “Jesus wants unconditional love and forgiveness so deep in my bones that my reflex response is to love and forgive unconditionally.”
When we allow God’s goodness to go deep, it transforms us. We carry it with us into every moment, every relationship, and every choice; changing us to our very bones.
Digging Deeper:
1. What aspects of God’s character have you been dwelling on lately? How are they shaping your thoughts or actions?
2. Have you ever experienced forgiveness—either giving or receiving—that changed you deeply? What did it reveal about God?
3. Are there areas of your life where God’s love and truth are still surface-level? What would it take to let them sink deeper?
4. Who in your life might need to see or receive God’s grace through you this week? How can you reflect His character to them?