I've written a lot about how to love others and what God expects from us, but as the saying goes, "You can't pour from an empty cup." You must yourself be filled before you can be expected to fill others. This world is constantly changeable and unreliable to take care of this need for you. You can find joy in the love of other humans, less so in temporary joys, but you need a strong source of water to quench your thirst or you'll be running after puddles in search for satiety. There is only one source of love and joy strong enough to sustain you, only one that will never fade or disappear or change.
The desire for love is a spiritual thirst. It's one built in us by God. Let's start with some verses about God's love for us.
"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations." Deuteronomy 7:9
"But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness." Psalm 86:15
"Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever." Psalm 136:26
"The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." Zephaniah 3:17
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another." John 15:9-17
"God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:7-8
These are some of the great multitude of verses in the Bible about God's love. Did you know the Bible mentions love, depending on the translation, between 419-766 times?
Here are some stumbling blocks that keep us from receiving God's love:
1)Some of us see God through our experiences with other people, so if we see Him as a father, we may think of our own dad, or if we think of Him as a friend, we think on our own friendships. Here's the thing: God is not human, and He's not a god in the sense of the Greek or Roman gods who stumble over their own feet and get caught up in mistakes and emotions. He is a perfect being, whose ongoing purpose is love. There's nothing and no one to compare Him to, and that leads us to the next point.
2)Don't be a stickler for legalism nor think that God is in any way. Oh, don't get me wrong. God is order in the chaos, and He has laws and ordinances. Unlike the Pharisees whom Jesus continually ridiculed, you shouldn't use the law as a weapon but as a tool and that includes toward yourself. There's the rule and there's the spirit behind the rule. For example, if you were told not to touch the cookie jar as a child, as your mother was cooking dinner, does that mean you'll never be able to touch the cookie jar? Does it mean you'll never have cookies again? No, the spirit behind her telling you that was because she didn't want you fill up on empty calories when she has something nutritious coming up soon. God's rules are foundations for the larger truth. Don't think of God as an authoritarian dictator ready to condemn you on every mistake. You may have had authority figures in the past who've acted that way, but God is not them. God is the ultimate leader.
3)Sometimes, we feel it's difficult to accept love because we have no sense of self-worth. God thought of you, knew you were going to make many mistakes, and made you anyway. He LOVES you the way you are, in all your unique quirky ways. He just wants the best for you. You're thinking, yeah but what about... yes, that too. God loves that part of you too. You are not what you do. You are not your sins. You are a beloved Child of God, which leads us to the last point.
4)You're not quite sure if you're saved or not. I used to think all the time that I really hoped I made it heaven cause death is scary, but I was never really sure if I would. Now, all alone, I'd definitely be sent to the fieriest parts of damnation, but we're talking about salvation here. Do you believe in God and love Him? Do you? If you can ask that as a yes, then yes you're saved. Let's not live our lives in doubt and fear. God isn't fear. He's saved you, and you should live knowing that with the utmost confidence. Now that you've put that behind you, live your life spreading the joy of your salvation.
So, what does it mean that God loves us? Let's ask God.
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.'” Isaiah 43:2
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.” Romans 8:28
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Revelation 21:4
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Isaiah 43:1-3
“If I say, “My foot slips,” Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul” Philippians 4:13
"The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” John 16:33
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” 1 Peter 5:6-7
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” Isaiah 43:2
“My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us." Psalm 62:5-8
Knowing God loves you is one thing, feeling it in your soul is quite another. Feel God's love for you as He will never let you go.
No comments:
Post a Comment
What do you think?