CELEBRATE THE LOVE OF GOD
What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? No one—for God Himself has given us right standing with Himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For Your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, Who loved us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:31-39 (NLT)
Unconditional love is what we aspire to, but if we’re honest, our love for others is often conditional. We love those who love us back—who provide for or benefit us somehow. And because of this, we can struggle to believe that the love we receive from others is unconditional. This line of thinking can reinforce our insecurities and relational barriers.
In one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible, the Apostle Paul assures us that nothing can ever stop God from loving us. Even when our circumstances are suboptimal, God still loves us. He is for us, not against us.
Corrie ten Boom, who spent time in Nazi concentration camps for harboring Jews to safety, once said: There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.
APPLICATION:
Focus on these three simple words today: God loves me. Not just people who seem to have it all together. Not just those who work in vocational ministry. Me. He loves me. He is for me, not against me. Don’t lose sight of the truth that God loves every single person He has created. What tremendous love He has demonstrated at the cross. As you reflect, consider listening to the Hillsong Worship song Who You Say I Am.
PRAYER:
Lord,
You see me, know me and love me. I don’t deserve Your love, but You give it anyway. Thank You for being faithful in Your love even when I’m not. Help me remember today that You are for me, not against me. That Your love is unfailing and never-ending.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.