The Love God Has for Us – November 5, 2022

We know that we live in [God] and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:13-18

The Love God Has for Us

The Bible assures us that God loves us. But it is so easy to doubt this, especially when we think about how often we have disobeyed him and done the very things he tells us not to do. How can we be sure God loves us when our own hearts are filled with doubt?

The apostle John answers, “because he has given us of his Spirit.” Instead of looking inside at our own feelings, John shows us God’s action. God gave us of his Spirit’s power, wisdom, gifts, and fruit. That Spirit keeps on testifying that we are the children of God.

By the Spirit we have seen God’s love! “The Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world…we know and rely on the love God has for us.” The Son washes away all our sins. That love gives us boldness for judgment day. Since God is love on judgment day, we will experience nothing but the fullness of his love.

Experience the end of terror about standing before God. Know what it means that God sent his Son. Believe that “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him (you and I included) will not perish but have eternal life.”

Enjoy the love God has for you!

Prayer:
Gracious, loving Father, by your Spirit drive out the doubt in my heart. Through your Son drive out the fear in my heart. Amen.