Love: Made in Heaven
God has given us His EVERYTHING. He spent Himself completely for us. If you think you know what love is- think again. God is jealously in love with us. That kind of love cost Him His life; but it was also by His love that He was raised to life again- that we may share an eternity with Him. I think that the number one blindfold to understanding God's love is our questioning God's love. Malachi 1:2 speaks of God telling His people, " I have loved you." but their cold, heartless reply was, "I what way have You loved us?" They did not see, nor comprehend God's love for them. What got in the way? Complaining... They looked at their captivity (which was because of their own iniquity) and doubted that God loved them. If God told you, "I love you." what would you say? " God if you love me- why don't You_______?" or "How do I know You love me?" I think it is time we stopped criticizing God and looked at what God has done for us. Say a girl wanted a really good friend, (this is kind of girly- but I am sure you guys out there will get it too) she's searched everywhere, but could not find one. Until one day, a guy comes up to her and says, " Look, I will be your friend- I will love you, take care of what ever you need- I will pay your debts; if you do something mean to me- don't worry, I will never, ever get mad at you. In fact, I NOW forgive you of anything and everything you could ever do to me. I will never, ever, ever, ever leave you, I will be with you no matter how ugly it gets. I will marry you."let's say this guy knows all about her already, her sins, her failures- everything. But he decides to forget it all for one reason: love. Here is the good news: this is a true story. Jesus took you and I, and He pushed aside all the con's and chose to believe that we only have pro's, He purposed to love us, to stay with us forver- even when we act ugly, or things go wrong; He has decided to forgive all the sins we will ever commit- before we sinned. How do I know? 1Corithians 13:1-8 tells us all that love is. God is love. So all that great stuff we read about love, is true about Jesus.1Corinthians 13:1-8 says, Love suffers long [and] is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.Love never fails. THIS IS LOVE! So instead of questioning God's love, let's receive God's love, and love God with all that we are.
I encourage you to listen to 'He loves us' sung by Kim Walker-Smith: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoC1ec-lYps
blessings to you,
Nicole 'Liv'