GOD'S LOVE FOR US

The reason God showed us so much grace is because of His great love for us. Jesus said, "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends (John 15:13)." Our Lord Jesus sacrificed His own life on the cross for our salvation from sin and death when we didn't have a relationship with Him. We were lost in our sins, yet Jesus came to save us because He loved us. So, we can say that we never earn His love for us because we didn't love Him in the beginning. 1 John 4:19 says, "We love because He first loved us." We love now because He initiated His love in our lives by loving us with His own life. As a result, we never work for His love for us. It is something that God has chosen within Himself to love us. 

In our society today, the more we do good, the more we are accepted and loved. However, when we make a mistake or a wrong decision, it often feels like everyone stops loving us. As a result, we are afraid to make mistakes. We began to please people so that they would accept and love us. In God's standard of love, He always loves us to the fullest, even when we sin and rebel. His love for us is consistent. For us who believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have a strong relationship with Him because we are His children. Romans 8:38-39 says, "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Our relationship with our God is secure because of His great love for us. 

Let us never doubt God's love for us because His love is stronger than any force in this world. He can never stop loving us, no matter what happens, even when we doubt or are in rebellion. He will never stop pursuing us to make us the people that God wants us to be because He loves us. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) How do I know that God loves me? How should I live knowing that God loves me unconditionally? Can I earn God's love? 

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for loving me unconditionally. I praise you for loving me even when I am not lovable, especially when I am in sin or rebelling against you. You always draw me to you through your love and never give up on me, no matter what happens. Because of your love for me, I am a changed person. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.