“Created To Love”
Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1 John 4:8
Have you ever wondered if your life has a purpose? The Word of God says it does – one that is both noble and desirable: Every human is created by God to love and be loved. God loves you personally and individually, without limit or qualification. God desires to shower you with love.
The most important attribute we can know about God is God’s love. The very essence of God’s being, God’s personality and nature, is love. It is the reason Jesus came to earth, lived a victorious life, and then die to restore humanities relationship with God (John 3:16). The most important decision we can ever make is to receive God’s love.
The Lord’s affection is absolute, unwavering, and sacrificial. God’s love is not subject to favoritism. God loves the sinner the same as the saint. In our human pride or our desire to be “somebody special,” we may find that fact difficult to swallow. But God loves each person with the same quantity and quality of love.
The Bible tells us that the rain falls on the just and the unjust, and the sun shines on the righteous and the wicked (Matthew 5:45). This means that with or without faith in God, everyone experiences benefits and blessings from God. But the person who receives Jesus as Lord and Savior is in a position to reap the blessings that accompany a loving relationship with God here and now.
The Lord’s love is not based upon what we do, what we have, or what we achieve. God gives it to us simply because we are God’s creation. You cannot win or earn more of God’s favor – God’s unconditional love has nothing to do with performance. Accept and delight in that truth.
John said it simply and eloquently: “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). And Jesus said the first and foremost commandment was this: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). The only logical response to God’s great outpouring of love toward you is to love God back.
Those who embrace and reciprocate God’s love enjoy an inner freedom and peace they never imagined. They develop as individuals, discovering hidden talents and abilities. They experience true delight in God’s creation and know the joy of perpetual discovery. Does this sound inviting? Is this what you would like for your life?
When we choose to love and obey God, we can be sure God will guide us toward doing what will bring about the greatest fulfillment in our life. Open your heart and let God shower more love into your life. You won’t regret yielding your life to God.
Grace & Peace, Pastor Bob