GOD LOVES US

1 John 4:17-19. NKJV

17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us.

Love Is the Fulfillment of the Law Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans concerning Love, he then said Love is not about an emotional disposition; it is about acting in a certain way toward others—a way that is consistent with the commandments laid out in the Law. \”Love never hurts a neighbor, so loving is obeying all the law\”. (Romans 13:10).

Our love for God is a response to the love He has always had for us. God did not expect us to love Him first; we were incapable of doing so because of our sinful nature. So God took that extra step , He went the extra mile and poured His love out on all of us.

Romans 13:8-10 is a powerful passage where Paul states that all of the law is wrapped up in loving God with all our whole being and love our neighbors as ourselves; love is the fulfillment of the law. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.

The Gospel tells us that Jesus does not intend to destroy the Laws of Moses, but rather, to advance and show in perfect practice the love of God. “Don’t think that I have come to destroy the law of Moses or the teaching of the prophets. I have not come to destroy them but to bring about what they said. 18 I tell you the truth, nothing will disappear from the law until heaven and earth are gone. Not even the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will be lost until everything has happened\”. Matthew 5:17-18.

God consummated the Love He has for us when He gave His only begotten son Jesus Christ to take our place of sin and chose to die a shameful death on a cross for us to be saved. God fulfilled the law by showing us unfailing LOVE that brought salvation to us all. \”See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him\”. 1 John 3:1

God\’s love to us is not Hasty as man may in a rush pronounced love to one in a haste only to withdraw it by the next minutes claiming it was said unwittingly His love is \”Agape Love\” No strings attached not emotional and without counting errors or in comparison of any other love declared.

The basic acts establishing love are kindness, consideration, understanding, patience, sacrifice or sufferance, and certain words and physical acts of demonstrations which constitute evidence of affection between the persons involved.” These are attributes of God\’s love to man that\’s why He loved us first but due to man\’s tendency to fail we lack in these basic acts of love both to God and man.

When Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment , Jesus answering them said \”You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,\” before adding: \”\’You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Meaning the Love for God should not have a second place in your life . It must be firstly in your life as He loves us first.

PRAYER

Dear God, I will always be in awe when I think of how great your love for me, and everyone in this world, We weren\’t anywhere close to righteous when you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us; but that did not stop you. Lord, I will always set my heart on loving you, ever grateful that you loved me first. Thank you Lord, In Jesus name I pray Amen.

REFLECTION

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8.

Bible Reading:- 1 John 3.

Thank you for Reading, Remain Blessed 🙏 Mrs Blessing Onugha ❤️