Ever Been in Love?

Have you ever been “in love”? Are you “in love” currently? Does he/she still look or act the same as when you first fell? Perhaps a better question is “how has your concept of love changed over time?” 

Do you know that Jesus loves you? When did you recognize that “God so loved the world” included you? The love of God is different from human love in that His love is perfect all the time. His love never fails. 

He knows we fall short of perfection not only by His standards but also by our own standards. We don’t always like ourselves, but God never stops loving us. 

As our Father, He is still loving us even when He corrects, teaches, or disciplines us. He loves us so much that He includes us in His forever family – not statically- dynamically! He has a plan and reveals it. God is shaping us into the likeness of Christ. 

So when we know we are loved by our Heavenly Father, everything changes. No longer do you HAVE TO love me for me to have joy and peace. No more do I need to attempt to make you like me. I’m already loved! 

His love is made to be shared. God isn’t content for His love to be covered up as setting a bowl over a lighted candle. No, His love is bright and illuminates darkness, chases away fear, and replaces loneliness with together /known/ special/ wanted/ belongs. He replaces “without” by joining “with” us.

Consider Jesus’ invitation, and, if you have never received Him as Lord, Savior, and Forever Friend, would you do it now or soon? You won’t regret it. He doesn’t deliver a carefree life, but He does bring forgiveness and help and comfort and care! He calls it abundant life. 

He loves us so much; he wants us to be near Him forever. After all He is God “with us”, Emmanuel! 

Go ahead and ask your questions, consider your options, and investigate love; but don’t rule out the greatest of these is God’s love revealed in Jesus Christ and deposited in our hearts by Holy Spirit!

1 Corinthians 13; John 3:16

Ephesians 5:1-2

1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Affection defined “Expressing care and closeness through appropriate physical touch and words; saying “I care about you” or “I love you”