See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:8-10
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. John 15:9
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake, we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39
What do these verses say? What do these passages teach me about following Jesus?
The Bible has much to say about love, loving God, and loving others. The Bible evens talks about the love God has for His children. God’s love for us is great, never-ending, unchanging, and beyond knowledge and understanding. God’s love for us is unchanging. He loves us on our good days, our bad days, and everything in between. God loves at every moment in time. It is not our performance that makes Him love us. He loves us for who he made us. He loves us in the position we have in Christ.
We share in the perfect, eternal, unchanging love that has existed between the Father and Son since the beginning of time. We can do nothing that will change God’s love for us because He loves us through His grace. This is the unmerited favor of God. We are loved and accepted as His children.
The cross is a symbol of His love for us. It is a public demonstration of His love for each of us. Jesus died on the cross while we were sinners. He died for you. He died for me. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross on your behalf satisfied God’s judgment against our sin and extended God’s love and mercy to you and me. When we become followers of Jesus, we have been invited into a loving relationship with the Father that lasts forever. We must abide in God’s love. We must do this to remain in and enjoy God’s love at all times. No matter what happens, nothing can change God’s love for you.
Are you abiding in God’s love right now? If not, why? When are you most tempted to doubt God’s love for you?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your unchanging, everlasting love for each of us. I pray that we will abide in you and have no doubt your love for us.
In Jesus Name
Amen
