I Love You

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Romans 5:6-11 ESV).

According to the dictionary love as a noun means “an intense feeling of deep affection”; or, “a person or thing that one loves”. I find it interesting that we use that word so often. We love warm weather. We love our husband or wife. We love our college football team. We love the latest trend. We speak the word in our most tender moments and then use it to describe our feelings about a new flavor of Bluebell ice cream. Just that fact brings me to ask if you really know you are loved. Rather than count the valentine’s cards this year, let me take you to a profound truth. Our reading today declares that the God who created all of life loves you even if you don’t love Him in return. He doesn’t wait for you to demonstrate your love for Him. He loves you first. He clearly demonstrated His love through Jesus Christ, especially when Christ gave His life for us. While I do not agree with her philosophy, Anais Nin wrote a truth that goes well beyond her. She said: “Love never dies a natural death. It dies because we don't know how to replenish its source. It dies of blindness and errors and betrayals. It dies of illness and wounds; it dies of weariness, of witherings, of tarnishings.” The demonstration of God’s love for us in the death of Jesus proves his eternal expression and building of the love he has toward us. You may remember that I ended yesterday’s devotional by encouraging you to look to Jesus for love. He is the foundation of love in all of life. Today my encouragement to you is to notice how many times the word “love” is used in casual conversation. Each time you hear it, think about the love of God. It is genuine love. Think of how much He loves you and begin to experience His love. When you begin to know His love, you’ll be amazed at the joy in your life. In that relationship all other relationships may spring up to bring both knowledge of love and feelings of love. In him you can find acceptance, even when you find it difficult to accept yourself.