Have you ever asked yourself these questions, could God love me? Does God love me? Why?
Many times we think that love is based on us; what we do, how we look; where we live; our political leanings. The list could go on and on. And when it comes to God’s love we have a tendency to think that His love is based on our works, how good we are, how much time we spend praying or reading the Bible and how much we give.
Nothing could be farther from the truth.
“Look at it this way: At the right time, while we were still helpless, Christ died for ungodly people. 7 Finding someone who would die for a godly person is rare. Maybe someone would have the courage to die for a good person. 8 Christ died for us while we were still sinners. This demonstrates God’s love for us.
9 Since Christ’s blood has now given us God’s approval, we are even more certain that Christ will save us from God’s anger. 10 If the death of his Son restored our relationship with God while we were still his enemies, we are even more certain that, because of this restored relationship, the life of his Son will save us.” Romans 5:6-10 GW
There are so many times that I have made my list – the list of reasons why I am deserving of God’s love and also the all the times I have failed to measure up. I have even made lists on “I’m not as bad as them”. God never wants us looking back or comparing ourselves to others. He forgives our sins when we confess them and then He also chooses to forget them.
“But if we confess our sins, God will forgive us. We can trust God to do this. He always does what is right. He will make us clean from all the wrong things we have done.” I John 1:9 ERV
“This is the New Way of Worship that I will give them. When that day comes, says the Lord, I will put My Laws in their hearts. And I will write them in their minds.” Then He says, 17 “I will not remember their sins and wrong-doings anymore.” 18 No more gifts on the altar in worship are needed when our sins are forgiven.” Hebrews 10:16-18 NLV
God’s love has always been extended to us. There has never been a time that we lost His love. There has never been an action or situation that has caused Him to retract and withhold His love.
We may look at others and think it must be hard for God to love them but God never sees it that way. In God’s eyes if we sin in one small area we are as guilty as if we had broken everyone of the ten commandments and more.
“ You are doing right if you obey this law from the highest authority: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” 9 If you favor one person over another, you’re sinning, and this law convicts you of being disobedient. 10 If someone obeys all of God’s laws except one, that person is guilty of breaking all of them. ” James 2:8-10 GW
Sin is sin and God has made provision for all sin to be forgiven.
Love is not a feeling. Love is a person, God. Love is the action of choosing to act like God. Love can’t be lost, true love doesn’t give up.
This morning’s devotion idea came to me yesterday in the wee quiet hours – I sat and just thanked the Father that He loved me. I quickly started going through my list of why He shouldn’t and He told me He couldn’t remember any of those reasons. They were all covered.
“The end of everything is near. Therefore, practice self-control, and keep your minds clear so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love each other warmly, because love covers many sins. ” I Peter 4:7-8 GW
God has covered our sins and we are asked, no, really commanded, to love the way He does.
“So we know the love that God has for us, and we trust that love. God is love. Everyone who lives in love lives in God, and God lives in them. 17 If God’s love is made perfect in us, we can be without fear on the day when God judges the world. We will be without fear, because in this world we are like Jesus.” I John 4:16-17 ERV
Yes God really, really loves us!
Now I’m off to the garage sale – go help someone else have a love-ly day.