There is a Coziness to God’s Love

A Theology of Coziness

Cozy is one of the most pleasant human sensations. Things that are warm, familiar, and safe are often described as cozy. Cozy once meant old sweaters, blankets, mugs of tea, and old movies. Yet now it is even applied to video games. These games are cute, simple, and involve low-stakes repetitive tasks.

Humans are designed to seek such warmth and comfort. We long for a sense that we are safe, that feeling of home.

In addressing that need, one could argue that there is a coziness to God's love. The world has plenty of cold, hard facts to offer us. There truly is a spiritual war raging around us, an unceasing battle for the souls of men and the attention of believers. Crisis, tragedy, and loss are never more than a breath away, even in the best of times. 

Augustine penned the now-famous words: “Our souls are restless until we find our home in Thee.” How accurate and poetic these words truly are. Every desire for a cozy experience points us toward the Lord's love. Three lines of evidence are presented here to argue for the coziness of God's love: first, the Savior; second, the Shepherd; and third, the Kingdom. 

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

A friend once asked me, “What does a savior do?”

I answered honestly, “Why, a savior saves.”

He replied that for Jesus to be called our Savior, He must be the One who saves us. Does this sound simple? Obvious? One would think so, but it is a truth that is often confused by Christian teachers and institutions today.

Christ saves... but, we are told, it must be earned, proven, or paid back. Yet the truth remains: if men are slipping from His grasp, then His role and identity as a good Savior are called into question. Could this be? Perish the thought!

The salvation God offers is freely given to all who believe in Christ Jesus, His payment for sins on the Cross, and His offer of eternal life (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 5:24). 

The believer finds himself in the “triple grip of grace,” as my dear friend Morgan Arnold calls it: secure and held in the hand of the Son, enclosed by the hand of the Father, and sealed by the Holy Spirit (John 10:28-30; Ephesians 1:13-14). That is a security built upon the love and power of the entire Triune God.

Safety and security could never be greater. There is nothing more comforting available in this world. As Romans 8:34-39 explains, nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

“I Am the Good Shepherd”

Sheep are cozy by nature, so much so that we count them when we want to fall asleep. Fluffy cloud-like creatures with their dark limbs and faces have little to defend themselves against a cruel world that would view them as an easy meal. They depend upon a shepherd. 

In biblical times, a shepherd would have a crook, a cudgel, and a sling. The crook was used to sort sheep and help them in tight places. The cudgel was used to strike predators, and the sling to fire projectiles at threats. Today, a shepherd might make do with a shotgun. 

The shepherd does not only protect. He leads and feeds the sheep. He is the provider, bringing his flock to safe pasture, nourishing food, and clean water. This is the height of coziness: a sheep in the care of the Good Shepherd.

Read Psalm 23. Consider also the words of Jesus: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:11, NKJV). 

The Kingdom

We do not often think of the Millennial Kingdom in terms of coziness. Christ's triumphant return and the overthrow of all His enemies sound rather harsh, and indeed they are. Yet the Kingdom of Messiah is also a kingdom of peace and plenty. 

The Kingdom will be a time when peace and prosperity prevail. Safety and peace will provide a world characterized by health and abundance. There will no longer be conflict between humanity and much of the animal kingdom. What could be more cozy than a pet bear? I cannot imagine one.

The prophets speak of such a day when “the wolf also shall dwell with the lamb” and a child will safely lead them (Isaiah 11:6-9). The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. 

This is still a time of spiritual battle, but those cozy moments remind us of the future that lies ahead. Like soldiers who treasure a bit of sweetness or a cherished handkerchief from home, we should celebrate those reminders.

After all, there is a coziness to God's love.