1 John 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
I am a doer—I can set my mind to a task, figure out the best way to accomplish it, and get it done in a timely manner. I try to be an active, contributing member to society. I know I have to work hard to accomplish my goals, and I am not afraid to do so. What I receive is often a direct result of the effort I give, so if I want something, I know I have to work for it.
Eph 2:8 God saved you through faith as an act of kindness. You had nothing to do with it. Being saved is a gift from God.
However, God’s amazing love for me throws all my ideas about hard work and effort out the window. I can’t earn His love. I’m not worthy of His love. And yet, He loves me fiercely because I am His. He sent His Son to save me when I could do nothing of value for Him in return. He loves me deeply even still, and I have nothing of worth to earn that love. He doesn’t care. He loves me anyway, simply because I am His.
John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
Lord, Thank You for this day and for Your paradigm-shattering love for Your children. In a world where we are given nothing, where we have to earn everything, it is hard to fathom Your gifts of love, mercy, and grace, yet You lavish them freely on Your children and command us to love each other in the same way You love us—without payment and without limits. Help us to love each other as You love us, a love so different than the love of this world. Draw us closer to You. Amen.
1 John 4:19 We love because He first loved us.
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.