"For God so loved the world..." John 3:16
When our girls were little, we taught them this familiar little song:
"Jesus Loves Me this I Know, for the Bible Tells Me So." What a simple message, easy enough for a child to understand. But the sad reality is this: SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE TROUBLE BELIEVING IT'S TRUE.
In my counseling, and in my own personal life, I have found it is very easy to start thinking that God accepts and loves us on the basis of performance. We are quick to adopt the
Daisy Theology: "He loves me, He loves me not." We tend to think, "God loves me if I am obeying Him, but He doesn't love me if I am failing Him." Listen, your feelings may tell you that is a true statement, but I want you to know IT IS A LIE! Regardless of your behavior or performance, GOD LOVES YOU!
THE FATHER WITH THE SONThe day Jesus began His public ministry, the Father's voice thundered from heaven as soon as Jesus was baptized,
"This is My beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased. Listen to Him (Matt. 3:17)." How amazing, how significant! Before Jesus had performed one miracle, the Father publicly set His love and approval on Him. Do you see the principle? God does not love you based on your performance. He loves you because He chose to love you, regardless of your performance.
If you know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you are a child of God (1 Jn. 3:1). And God loves His children, every one of them. He has no favorites, only intimates. And the intimates are those who have learned to believe and receive His love for them and act accordingly.
THE SECRET TO PLEASING GODDo you want to know the secret to pleasing God and living a life of obedience to His commandments? It all has to do with believing and receiving His great love for you. When you understand how much He really loves you, you can't help but really love Him back -
"We love, because He first loved us" (1 Jn. 4:19). And when you really love Him back, you obey Him -
"He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me" (Jn. 14:21).
The key is love. It is all about love, God's love for you and your response of love for Him. That is why Jude earnestly pleads,
"Keep yourselves in the love of God" (Jude 21). The love of God is the cornerstone of a victorious and thrilling Christian life.
Why not take some time today and meditate on His love for you? Read Ephesians 3:14-21 and let God root you and ground you in His limitless love. You will be amazed at the peace and joy that will flow in your heart as you believe and receive His love.
Love,
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