"We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19 NIV
I would guess if asked what love is, and we would all have different answers. For some, it may be the love we observed between our parents or the perfect Hollywood version. As we mature, we experience for ourselves this emotional bond with romantic partners and friends. The unfortunate side of love is sometimes the pain and disappointment that goes with it—something we have all experienced at one time or the other. Several years ago, there was a popular song by The J. Geils Band called Love Stinks. Some folks have had such bad experiences with failed relationships that even the word love carries negative connotations.
Without Christ, we flawed humans try to love, but we never quite get it right. We can't because we don't quite grasp what it means. The only way we can experience real and perfect love is by coming to know Jesus Christ. In our awareness, acceptance, and gratefulness for his sacrifice do we begin to comprehend the depth of love. It is not a one-time conversion, BAM, now you're filled with love sort of thing. It is a more gradual process. As we mature in our relationship with Christ, we grow into love, and the fruit of love flourishes as a result.
Thank you, God, for your love. We are grateful for your Son, Jesus Christ, who left us with the example of what love means. Without you, we try our best but admit we don't get it right. We ask you today to fill us with your perfect love that we may love others more perfectly. Please help us to love you, our partners, and our neighbors wholly and without reservation. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Blessings!
Pastor Tim
How would you describe God's love?
