John 3:16, ““God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.”
As we close out our month of love, I hope you have given love, and felt love. I also pray you have gained a greater understanding of God's love for you.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 is a place we can go to find one of the best definitions of love, “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done.”
True Biblical love is not self-seeking and has no strings attached. Yet, as humans in our fallen nature this can be hard to accept because it goes against what we see around us. Let's look at a handful more truths that we can learn about God's love.
- God's love is sacrificial- Romans 5:8, “But God shows his great love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners.”
Jesus left His throne in Heaven to live among the people who would reject and betray Him. Despite this, He came and laid down His life so we could be free from the sins that enslave us. Although Jesus knew this world would betray Him, He knew we would fail Him over and over, succumbing to the desires of this world. He still chose to die for us. This is what separates God's love from ours. Jesus didn't just die for those who chose Him, He died for all who will reject Him and hate Him too.
Sure, we love our loved ones and we have made sacrifices for the sake of love, but I'm not sure if there is anyone who would make that kind of sacrifice for love. This is what is amazing about God. He doesn't wait for us to be perfect and good to love us. While we are yet sinners… God's love is sacrificial.
- God's love is steadfast- lamentations 3:21-25, “But I have hope when I think of this: The Lord’s love never ends; his mercies never stop. They are new every morning; Lord, your loyalty is great. I say to myself, “The Lord is mine, so I hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who hope in him, to those who seek him.”
In Hebrew steadfast is called ‘hesed’ which means loyal, faithful, covenant love. That's what God's love is, who God is. Unchanging, never fails and never wavers. What God promises, He will do.
We've all been in relationships and some fall apart over time because the person falls “out of love” with you. Yet, God promises He will always love us, it will never stop even when we mess up. Nothing you do earns His love or loses it. God is faithful to us even when we aren't to Him.
- God's love is perfect- 1 John 4:8, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
While we have many experiences with love, our love is not perfect. Our love is tainted by expectations, conditions, our pasts, and our life of ups and downs. God's love is the only love that can be perfect because He is the definition of love, love is character, and His love is pure.
We may never have perfect love here on earth, but we can grow more in love as we look to God and follow in His footsteps. To have a love like God we can't read up on it only, we can't seek worldly council to bring it out of us. To live in love, we must turn to God and allow Him to transform us. Let God teach you each day.
- God's love never ends- Hebrews 13:5, “Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have. God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.”
Over and over God has said in scripture that He is with us, He will protect and lead us, He's got our back. Here in Hebrews, we read again that God will never forsake us. Meaning He will never abandon, renounce, or give up on us. We may choose to leave Him, but He will be ready to welcome us again when we come back. He will never give up on us because He made a covenant to always love us, good or bad. There will come a time He will come again to take those who have chosen to follow Him home and He will have to turn His back on the worldly sinners. But until that day, He is loving with open arms saying, ‘I stand at the door and knock, come home’.
- God's love changes us- Galatians 2:20, “I was put to death on the cross with Christ, and I do not live anymore—it is Christ who lives in me. I still live in my body, but I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself to save me.”
This is the greatest gift we have been given. It is only because of God's love that we can go from being a sinner to being saved. His love has redeemed us from a fallen state to being clothed in righteousness. It is because of His love that we can have salvation.
We may not be able to change someone by our love, but we can show them to Jesus by our love. We can inspire them to want to change and then if they choose, God can help them find redemption. This is the power of God's love, and He has given us the capacity to love those around us.
These are some wonderful truths of God's love and who God is. When we accept God's love for us and better understand the depth of His love, we can be transformed. Take a moment each day out of your busy lives and really see God and His love. Choose to live for Him and thank Him for loving you even when He didn't have to. I pray in your walk of life you will encounter God's love for you.
As you read the Bible you will grow to understand the vastness of God's love and grace for you, you are able to more fully love other people. This is through the power of the Holy Spirit working in you as God’s love overflows out of your life into the lives of others. Let's continue to study Titus as we read chapter 1:9-16
Study 2, Titus 1:9-16- https://www.docdroid.net/YjJ0DR9/study-2-docx
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog and if you'd like take a few more minutes to look around or click on my other links, God bless.
If you haven't already please subscribe to our email list on our homepage https://www.connectwithgoddaily.com/ or join any of our media, and please feel free to visit us on Facebook and join our group. https://www.facebook.com/dailyblessingblog/
Also come visit and see what is new in our bookstore. dswells.weebly.com
Don't forget to share with your friends some inspiration today and brighten up their day too.
For those new to our emails, if you would rather receive these via text or on messenger please let me know through my email, dswell123@yahoo.com or our FaceBook page.