Beloved

Beloved:

"Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us." (1 John 4:11-12)

The love of God surpasses all. The closest friend you've ever had, the kindest relative, the most caring parent, none can measure up to the prodigious Love of God. His love is so pure and genuine that even at our darkest hour, He still seeks to caress us with His gentleness and grace.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17)

God's intent is to bless and prosper each and every one of us. From the very first day you were conceived, God fell completely in love with you. Nothing you've done since then has altered that authentic love, and there's nothing you could do that could ever remove it.

Though we are unsteady humanity, prone to falling into disbelief and anger, the Lord never changes. He is not subject to the ever-changing tides of this shaken world. He is limpid and blameless, for there is no trace of darkness or impurity in Him whatsoever.

He loves with flawless love. He does not retract His love any when we slip away from Him. He doesn't hold back on loving us when we neglect reading our Bibles, speed through prayer time, or skip a night of our church group. He simply loves us regardless of our performance in life, because He IS Love.

"And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him...We love Him because He first loved us." (1 John 4:16,19)

God calls us to abide in His love. This means we accept His love, embrace His love, and live a life filled with His love. We must remain in Him and in His love in order to radiate that love out onto others.

How can we do this? Well, we first must look at Scripture, and there's where we'll find all the incredible examples and promises of God's love.

Think it's difficult to love someone who gets on your nerves? How about someone who just plain doesn't like you? Think about this, God loved us when we were completely and totally submerged in sins. He poured out His love, and even poured out His life! All the while we bitterly hated Him, mocked Him, and even blasphemed Him. Now that is true Love!

"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)" (Ephesians 2:4-5)

His love for us was perfected even when we were dead in trespasses! He didn't condemn us because of how unrighteous we were. Instead, He sent His only Son to endure all the horrendous consequences in our place.

There is no condemnation for those who trust in the Lamb of God. There is no condemnation for those who take refuge in Him. There is no shame, no fear, and no rejection when we run into His arms. There is only forgiveness, redemption, restoration, and rejuvenation.

God is Love, and His love is everlasting. Nothing can separate us from Him, because Jesus tore down all barriers. Now the Love of God stands right before us. Don't be afraid to dive into the refreshing spring of His goodness.

"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)

Simply take a moment to let the reality of this unfailing Love sink in. From everlasting to everlasting, that is our God, and that is His love for us. From the dawn of creation, God has held us in favour and grace.

"And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:16-17)

He has given us a new covenant, one of grace and truth and freedom. He has redeemed our former ways into a new life of abundance and joy. He loves us so dearly, and this is the love that He has planted in our hearts. When we take the time to read Scriptures such as the ones above, it nourishes our souls and sends waves of comforting love light all throughout our entire being.

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." (1 John 4:7)

When we're filled to overflowing with the energising and joyous love of God, we can't help but let it out. This is when that love bursts forth and graces over us and all those around us. Let the pure peace and love be contagious, and don't hold in the abounding joy! Be free and love like Jesus.

-The Introverted Evangelist

Photograph Taken By: Raphael