The Greatest Lover of All

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us. 20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. 1 John 4:16-21

God's love is an everlasting gift. We don't deserve it. But, there's nothing we can do to lose it. The Father's love simply is. No amount of good or bad work causes it to change. What's more, we must realize that when we try to repay someone for a freely given gift, we frustrate the giver and reveal our own lack of self-worth.

As long as you or I feel we must deserve the Father's love, we cannot fully experience it. We'll be so busy trying to do something lovable that it won't occur to us to be still and simply allow His nature to settle our mind and heart. And what is His nature? God isn't simply loving. The Scriptures above tell us He is love.

In addition, God's love is sacrificial. It's the kind of love that puts aside your own desire to meet the need of your beloved. In our case, that need is salvation. We are sinners, incapable of relating to a holy God on our own. Divine justice required payment for our sin-debt. Yet, to express His love while staying true to His justice, God determined a substitute would pay the penalty in our place. And so, He sent His Son to die on the cross. There, God allowed Jesus to endure the torment of separation from His Father. As a result, everyone who trusts in the Savior's sacrifice never has to experience His pain.

God loved before you were born. 2,000 years ago, He sent Jesus to die in your place. Stop trying to earn the gift that you already own! Instead, follow His command found in Psalms:

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

Thank You, Father, for the ultimate gift of love - the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ! It is in His name that I pray~Amen