You Are Loved
I've been thinking lately... and I have realized that there are so many people who don't feel loved. ...that's such a sad reality. They don't realize that most people do love them.. or if they do come to this realization, they don't understand why. Unfortunately, their families and many of their close friends... those that they value.. fall short of showing them their love. And I mean unconditional love.. that never fails.. never gives up no matter the situation. They may think they show them love, but to certain individuals, love means distance or concern or devotion or a willingness to give everything or determination or selflessness. The lack of showing this love to others can result in anger, depression, guilt, self-doubt, self-harm, lack of faith or trust in God, or questioning why they're even here.
These expectations of love come from directly from Scripture, where our Lord tells us how we should love. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a says, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." When we, as imperfect humans, mess up these perfect standards of love, it effects those around us in many ways. We all understand that we aren't perfect, but we also know how we should act and try to keep ourselves accountable to that standard. Unfortunately, no matter how hard we try to love like this, we won't be able to. Fortunately, there is a God that does love us unconditionally with no record of wrongs. He can love us with this perfect love forever! We do love "because He first loved us," (1 John 4:19) but it will never be that perfect love. "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:7-8
God loved us and knew us before we were even before we were born! "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you" (Jeremiah 1:5) That's how much He loves us! He created us and knew us! He loves us! Jesus also laid down His life for us as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 And that's exactly what Jesus did for us on the cross! "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:16-18
I think that about sums it up pretty well! (The Bible is pretty amazing that way;)) Our God challenges us to a lifestyle of love. We ought to love our brothers and sisters like Christ does. But even when we can't always live up to that standard, know that our loving heavenly Father is always right there for you.. waiting to take your hand and hold you when you say, "Daddy, I need to feel loved. And I know You're the only way I truly can."
These expectations of love come from directly from Scripture, where our Lord tells us how we should love. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a says, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." When we, as imperfect humans, mess up these perfect standards of love, it effects those around us in many ways. We all understand that we aren't perfect, but we also know how we should act and try to keep ourselves accountable to that standard. Unfortunately, no matter how hard we try to love like this, we won't be able to. Fortunately, there is a God that does love us unconditionally with no record of wrongs. He can love us with this perfect love forever! We do love "because He first loved us," (1 John 4:19) but it will never be that perfect love. "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:7-8
God loved us and knew us before we were even before we were born! "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you" (Jeremiah 1:5) That's how much He loves us! He created us and knew us! He loves us! Jesus also laid down His life for us as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 And that's exactly what Jesus did for us on the cross! "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:16-18
I think that about sums it up pretty well! (The Bible is pretty amazing that way;)) Our God challenges us to a lifestyle of love. We ought to love our brothers and sisters like Christ does. But even when we can't always live up to that standard, know that our loving heavenly Father is always right there for you.. waiting to take your hand and hold you when you say, "Daddy, I need to feel loved. And I know You're the only way I truly can."
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