I Am Loved
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10
I avoided reading my Bible for years. I thought it was all fire and hell. But when I was worn-out by life, I cracked it open and couldn't turn a page in the New Testament without reading how much God loves me. I realized Jesus didn't come from Heaven to earth to tell us we're awful; He came to prove we're loved! Now for the tricky part: I have to believe it.
Early in my faith, I tried to prove I loved God by saying yes to every service opportunity that popped up. I was insecure. I thought maybe God would remember what a screw up I’d been and cut me off, so I needed to prove my love for Him. Looking back, my insecurity was the barometer measuring how little I believed God loved me personally. Sure, I knew He loved the world. But did He love me?
Today’s verse dashes out any faith we have in our merit and redirects us to God’s love alone. Jesus came to save us not because we loved Him, but because He loved us. Trusting in that, we can walk in confidence instead of insecurity.
Do you believe you are precious to God? As I daily accept that He adores me instead of tolerating me, my heart is peaceful. And His love, not mine, sustains and empowers me to live and love well. Abide in God's love. It's not a meager drop. It’s a steady river, enough to fill us up until we overflow.
Andrea Chatelain’s mission is to meet women in their struggles and love them forward with God’s truth. She's part of the Wholly Loved Ministries team, is a Midwest mom of three, faith and family writer, and college English instructor to immigrants and refugees. It’s her joy to lead Bible studies in her neighborhood, church, and community because she believes Jesus transforms lives when His people boldly seek Him. Her writing reflects her love for Jesus and heart for fellow believers. Connect with Andrea more online at www.afruitfulwoman.com.
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