The now famous song, “What the World Needs Now is Love Sweet Love” proclaims a truth in its title that continues today. More and more people desire to be loved above any other human passion. Today John the apostle draws our attention to how much the Heavenly Father truly loves us. In First John chapter three and verse one he writes:
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knows us not, because it knew him not.
John first tells us to “behold”. That is, see it, perceive it, know that the Father loves us. This love is unlike any normal love because the Greek word “agape” is used. “Agape” means unconditional, unmerited love. This love cannot be earned, and no amount of works or ways will gain its advantage. This love that John asks us to consider is a God given love that precludes coming just as we are to Him. There is no “cleaning up my act” as some think. There is no, “when I make a few changes in my life”, but rather just coming as we are to Him and receiving Him as our Savior.
Consider what Paul the apostle wrote in the book of Romans chapter five and verse eight:
But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
God loved us so much that He proved it by sending His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins while we were still in our state of sinfulness. The two verses before this one says this:
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
Some people wonder, “Does anyone really love me?” They search for love, but they don't find it. They look for love on websites, in bars, in churches, in chat rooms, but it seems that there is just no love to be found. Some people have had rough examples of love from their parents, and maybe others have had people hurt them so badly that they think they will never be able to find anyone anywhere who will just love them for who they are. Please allow me to bring you good news today...God loves you. God loves you with an everlasting love with which no one will be able to compare. Only God can fill the need for love within you the way you truly need to be loved, and His love is unconditional. He proved it by giving His Son Jesus to die in our place, and when we realize that there is no greater love than this, we will receive the Lord Jesus into our lives and forever be the sons and daughters of the Most High God.
Maybe some who read this will remember one of the greatest verses ever written. In the gospel of John chapter three and verse sixteen John writes:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
I'll leave you today with one more Bible reference. It's found in the book of the gospel of John chapter fifteen and verse thirteen:
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
God loves us, and as amazing as that is, our part is simply to receive Him and enjoy the fact that we are His children.
Next time we shall discuss the idea of being His children, so read ahead, and we'll join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
No comments:
Post a Comment