We were created for love and relationship, and we need it. Unfortunately, we tend to doubt God’s love because we compare it to human relational love. Whether it is our parents, children, spouses, aunts, uncles, cousins, or best friends, their love is incomparable to God’s love. It is unmatched because as much as our parents and family love us, it is imperfect love.
Through human relationships, we experience conditional love. We feel people love us for our accomplishments or what we can do for them. Unfortunately, this is often true. This causes us to have a faulty view of our self-worth and identity. We place our value on the love we receive from others. God’s love is different. God loves us for who we are, not what we did or will do. He loves us despite our shortcomings and sinful nature. Paul reminds us in Romans, “But God demonstrated his love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (5:8 NIV)
Perhaps human love has failed you, but God’s love never fails. God is love. His very existence is love because there is love within the Trinity. God loves us so much that He wants us to enter that love relationship with Him (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Imagine a love for you that exists. It exists regardless of your good deeds, kindness toward others, or ability to contribute on any level. God’s love cannot fail because for that to happen; God would cease to be who he is – love! God’s love exists, and His love will never forget you.
God’s love is sacrificial. John reported in his gospel, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (3:16 NIV) God sacrificed His Son so that we could have eternal life through Jesus! John states the depth of Jesus’ love in chapter 15, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13 NIV) If that’s not love, then I don’t know what is.
We can feel God’s love by abiding in Him. John’s gospel compares abiding in the vine and remaining in God’s love in John 15:1-17. We stay in God’s love by keeping His commandments. We honor God’s commandments by reading His word and praying. When we read and study the scriptures, we stay connected to the power source that will bring lasting change. We pray for change as we read the scriptures and ask God to mold us into the image of His Son. Staying connected to God is a lifelong process; we must remain in the vine throughout our lives. Jesus is the life-giving source, the vine, and we are the branches that need nourishment.
God’s love for you is unconditional, never fails, and is sacrificial. Inseparable and unlimited. God no longer rebukes you but rejoices over you with singing. Nothing can or ever will separate you from the love of God.
As you seek your identity in Christ, remember … God loves us, and that is who we are!
Great message to hear during “Valentine Week” – very grateful for the unconditional love of Jesus.