In a world where achievement often defines worth, many Christians struggle to fully grasp and experience God’s love. In an exclusive interview with Charisma Media, Pastor Francis Chan explored the delicate balance between reverence and rest—between trembling at the Word of God and delighting in His love.
Chan reflects on his journey of faith: “I still believe what I said in 2009…love the Word and just dive in joy. But what I didn’t tremble at back then was His promises. So much of what we should be trembling at is when He promises something, when He says, ‘I love you and want you to abide in My love.’” For Chan, Scripture opened his eyes to the depth of God’s love, even as he wrestled with personal insecurity and doubt.
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He shared a poignant moment of vulnerability when he had grapple with the concept of God’s love. “I just was honest, like, I don’t want to have any doubts of His love for me…Let me get real with anything that is off in my life. I just want to be at peace coming into His presence.” This candid confession highlights that even spiritual leaders struggle with fear and doubt—and that prayer, community and God’s grace play crucial roles in overcoming them.
Chan also addressed the barriers that make it difficult for believers to receive God’s love. Cultural and religious pressures often emphasize accomplishment, perfection and scrutiny. He notes, “We start to go, ‘gosh, is this the way God is? My own family doesn’t feel this way about me…My own church doesn’t feel this way. And so I’m supposed to believe in this God.’” He warns against extremes, urging believers not to neglect God’s justice in favor of grace, or to rely on fear and works at the expense of relationship.
For Chan, practical steps to understanding more of God’s love and grace include meditation on Scripture and focusing on the invisible work of God. “I need the eyes of my heart enlightened…It’s not about just education and information. I need to know these things to the depths of my soul.” Chan calls believers to embrace childlike faith, affirming truths like, “Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me,” allowing them to sink deeply into the soul and transform daily living.
Ultimately, Chan wants Christians to rest in the truth that God delights in His people. “There’s this God in heaven that wants you to believe in His love for you, and as much as you want it yourself, just rest in the fact that God wants this for you,” Chan reminds.
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By cultivating trust, meditating on Scripture and leaning into prayer, it is possible for believers to move from knowledge of God’s love to truly experiencing it—finding freedom, joy and identity as God’s beloved children.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment.
