GOD'S LOVE FOR YOU

William R. Cunningham
April 4, 2003

It is natural for us to love those that love us and to do good to those that do good to us. However, how would you treat someone that wronged you or someone that demonstrates or indicates that he or she really doesn't care much about you? How would you treat someone that does not love you? Our first response would probably be to not love them back in however that might be manifested. We could show our indignation by defaming their name with gossip or doing things that are meant to harm them in some way. We would even feel justified because he or she does not love me so I won't love him or her.

Now what if God treated us that way? What if God treated us according to the way that we treat him? We are very fortunate that he does not do things that way. Consider the following scriptures.

He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. - Psalm 103:10 (NKJV)

If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared. - Pslam 130:3-4

The bottom line is that God does not treat us according to how we deserve to be treated in the world of reciprocation. God demonstrates mercy and compassion towards us else we would not stand. The fact is that God loves you and he loves you now. There is nothing that you need do to earn his love. He has already extended his love towards you and demonstrated his love for you through Jesus Christ. Consider the following scripture.

John 3:16-17 (NKJV) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

God demonstrated his love for the whole world, which includes you, by giving his only begotten son as a sacrifice so that you might obtain eternal life with Him. He didn't send Jesus Christ here to condemn you but to bring you life by his death and resurrection. Jesus died so that you might be saved. So you see that God loved you first. Consider the following scriptures.

But why are people important to you? Why do you take care of human beings? - Psalm 8:4 (NCV)

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8 (NKJV)

Why does God love us so much? We can't really say except that it is his nature to love (See 1 John 4:8,16).

You don't have to earn God's love because you cannot earn his love. You do not have to follow a series of religious rules and regulations to make yourself acceptable to God. You cannot do that. God already loves you and has already done the greatest thing possible for you. He offers you life through Jesus Christ. Don't think that you can earn God's love. He already loves you.

Remember that God loves you right now even as you read this article. You might have done something that you think you should be punished for one thousand years. Perhaps you have done something horrific and by the standards of the law, you are headed for prison or some other form of payment for your crimes or the like. However, God loves you even then. His love is not overshadowed anything that you have done or will do. His love is forever. His mercy endures forever (See Psalm 136).

Be free in God's love. Allow his love to transform you and cause you to obey him as your trust in him grows every day. Love God, trust God, and then obey God. Then the love of God in you will bear fruit according to God's will. Amen