Oh, how he loves: Receiving God’s Love

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It’s what we are all searching for: love. Much of our lives are spent on that very task, seeking love - in a mate, friendships, or in the approval of others. Yet when we do find that love, we are continually disappointed. People can’t seem to love us as perfectly as we’d like them to.

Earthly love may fail, but God’s love does NOT disappoint. Oh, how He loves us! We could sing and meditate on those words for a lifetime, yet still only begin to comprehend a fraction of its meaning. It has always been and will never cease. He loves us without holding back, He lavishes it on us (1 John 3:1). This love is:

PERFECT

Unlike our earthly relationships, God loves us perfectly and unconditionally. There’s nothing we can do to make God love us any more or any less. He is perfectly gentle, kind, and patient. He is always acting in our best interest, for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28). Even when circumstances seem grim and we just don’t understand what God is up to, we can trust that he is still loving us perfectly (story of Joseph in Genesis, concluding with Genesis 50:20, “What you meant for harm, God intended for good.”)

PERSONAL

He created mankind in love, as His image-bearers. It’s not just that he loves us as his creation - he loves each and every one of us personally, intimately. He knows the number of hairs on our heads, and knows our thoughts before a word is spoken. The parable of the lost sheep teaches us that God would have sent Jesus to die on the cross, even if you were the only person alive.

PURSUING

He chose Israel to be his people to covenant with, and He continued to pursue them despite their wandering. He continued to pursue His people by coming to Earth in bodily form to die for us. He gives us the Holy Spirit that is constantly drawing our hearts to him.

SACRIFICIAL

His love for us is costly. God “emptied himself (Philippians 2:6-7)” and became human flesh to die for us.... the ultimate sacrifice. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)  And “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

PERMANENT

Since He adopts us as his sons and daughters, we are forever in his family. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.  

What a love.... and he gives it freely! But, we have the choice whether we will receive it or reject it.

Is it ever hard for you to accept God’s love?

Have bad relationships and experiences in your life hardened your heart? Do you have a hard time trusting that God’s love is permanent and unconditional? Or do you ever feel unworthy of this kind of love? Are you haunted with guilt and shame?

The fact is, NONE of us are deserving of God’s love; we are all equal in our undeservingness  (is that a word!?). Actually, in order to receive this gift of love, we HAVE to first understand that we don’t deserve it - that we NEED Jesus. Surrender to Him and accept His love - displayed on the cross, as our perfect sacrifice. Accept the truth that He became sin and you have been made righteous.

We can understand His love based on head knowledge, but yet He still offers us more - He wants us to experience it! Psalm 34:8 says “taste and see that the Lord is good.” Trust Him with your heart, trust Him with your life, and you will taste and see his goodness.

We learn in Romans 5:5 that “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit”. As His love is “poured” into our hearts by the Spirit, we are filled with His love and joy, and it begins to overflow, out of hearts into our words and our lives. We are compelled to show this great Love, this perfect, personal, sacrificial, pursuing, permanent love to others! And what makes love even greater?.... being able to share it with others! Let’s fully receive this great gift of God’s love. Oh, how He loves us so!


 
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Meet the Author!

Taylor is the wife of Council Road's Groups Pastor, Micah White, and mother to Navy and Foster. She works as a PA in Oklahoma City, and is also passionate about serving and edifying the local Church. She most enjoys time with her family, but can also be found reading, teaching, making music, hand-lettering, and hosting gatherings. She loves a friendly debate and a good laugh.