I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that the most widely known Bible scripture is John 3:16.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Some of the Christian commentary would almost make us believe the verse said, “For God so loathed the world…”. Maybe you too feel it’s more likely that God is mad at you than that He loves you beyond description. And truly, it matters not whether you deserve it or not.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Do you get that? When we were at our very worst, God gave us His very best. And again,
But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy… Titus 3:4-5a
And yet again…
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved). Eph. 2:4-5
You see…it is completely unearned, unmerited, and unconditional. Therein is the nature and definition of God’s grace. It is simply His love lavished on those who don’t deserve it, and we all qualify!
It’s overwhelming to consider just how much we are loved. I’ve said before that it is much through my love for my sons that I have begun to comprehend the magnitude of His love for us…”for God so loved the world that He gave His Son.” At times I’ve thought I might possibly consider giving my life for someone else, but honestly… I cannot imagine giving up the life of one of my sons for any reason under heaven, and especially not for a scoundrel, undeserving wretch! Yet that is precisely what God did for you and for me. Take a minute and think about someone in your life you cherish beyond words. Have you got that someone in your mind? Now imagine someone you consider to be unworthy of your kindness. Got it? Now with those people in mind, imagine giving your most cherished for that one so undeserving. That, my friend, is how much you are loved!
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all… Romans 8:32
Truly, we are beloved of God. Peter, James, John, Jude, and Paul all refer to us as beloved. Over 30 times in the New Testament we are called “beloved” yet we barely notice, overlooking the seemingly insignificant as we capitalize on the ‘weightier’ part of the scriptures. Maybe we don’t notice because we don’t realize how vital it is that we know. But this love He’s bestowed on us…
~defeats condemnation (Eph. 1:6),
~secures our hopes (Rom. 5:5),
~makes our faith effective (Gal 5:6),
~casts out fear (I John 4:18), and
~empowers us to fulfill God’s will! (as we saw in the previous two posts, here and here),
The love will even end the tendency to look for love in all the wrong places!
It simply is not possible to adequately convey the power of God’s love to you. It’s something each of us must experience for ourselves, but I can plead with you to take time to contemplate it. I pray…
…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge… Eph.3:17-19
For some….recognize it, realize it, receive it!
For others….reaffirm it, remember it, retain it.
For all of us….Rejoice in it!
I encourage you to spend time every day meditating on how you are greatly loved. In the midst of all the biblical instructions telling us to be patient, be kind, be compassionate, be holy, be thankful, be blameless…. let’s not forget to be loved.
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