Loved!

Loved!

“ We love Him, because He first loved us.”

1 John 4:19 AMPC

The foundation to the verse above is laid out very clearly in a few verses just before the one above. The verse says: “In this the love of God was made manifest (displayed) where we are concerned: in that God sent His Son, the only begotten or unique [Son], into the world so that we might live through Him.” Reflect on this for a moment: if you need to understand the definition, scope, spread , reach, height, aim, and depth of love from God's personal perspective, look no further than what He did to prove Himself. He made a claim that He loves us, and then He backed up that claim by giving someone very precious to Him as a sacrifice for our sin. 

What makes it even more precious is the fact that this sacrifice was made at a time when there was no guarantee that the targets of this love would even respond the right way. None of us alive on earth today was there when Christ died on the cross; it was not like Christ was sure we would all embrace the free gift we have been offered. Even if it was for the sake of one person only who would accept this free gift, Jesus considered His sacrifice on the cross as worth it. To make matters even more interesting, the very first and last time that it was recorded that God in heaven seemingly turned His back on His son was when the son was carrying the sin of the world upon Himself. 

God the Holy One could not look at His son at the time. If this was God's perspective on sin, can we afford to have a different perspective? If God hates sin this much, and He had to go all out this way to pay the price for it, that is love that is not subject to my acceptance or rejection. My response to God's love does not in any way change who He is and what He has done for me. I have been shown a love that did not wait for me to be worthy; it came to make me worthy to stand before the One who loved me in spite of my baggage. By the death of Jesus on the cross, I have no reason to fear death again. By His resurrection, I have also been raised to a new life in and through Him.

That is how the verse above is to be seen and experienced. The fallen human nature is not able to align with the requirements of the new nature that Christ brings. In my own power and strength, I am unable to fully live out the demands of the new life. Thank God He does not leave us to our own devises. Thank God He has not left us alone to go on ourselves with no help. He knows that we need Him if we are to align with the requirements and demands of His kingdom. Indeed, by His life and love in me, I am able to show off His life and love to other people around me. I can, simply because He died and now lives forever. You can, simply because He loves you. Would you trust Him? Would I? God's time of favour is here.