If we’re are honest with ourselves, most of us are not that lovable. That’s why relationships are difficult. I tell young people that the first couple times you go on a date with someone is the best you will see of him or her. It’s all down hill from there.
I am being a bit facetious. It can get better, but it takes work. Some are not willing to put in the effort. I’ve been married for 46 years and it’s wasn’t always easy. [Just ask my wife; I’m no bargain]
The American Definition of Love
In America we love all kinds of things. We love apple pie and ice cream. We love going on vacations. Some love the beach. Others love going to the mountains. In the 70’s Crosby, Stills, and Nash sang ‘Love the One Your With’. It was the rallying cry for generations; “And if you can’t be with the one you love, honey, love the one you’re with.” Now love has become a euphemism for causal sex.
Because love is defined so broadly in our culture, often it is misunderstood when it comes to God’s love for us. Human love is based strongly on emotions and fleshly desires. God’s love is based upon action.
What does it mean that “God Loves You”
You often hear people say, “God loves you” and he does. But the receptors in most of our minds interpret that to mean that he accepts me and has a warm fuzzy feeling for me. He puts His stamp of approval on whatever I want to do. We define the word according to our twisted human understanding.
But God’s love is infinitely different. He demonstrated His love immediately with Adam by warning him not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. When they disobeyed, He loved them by looking for them and by providing the necessary sacrifice; an animal skin [God’s provision for their sin] that restored their relationship with Him, replacing their fig leaf covering [the works of their hands]. In His love He announced that they would not live in a fallen creation forever. They would physically die and be promoted to a better place where there is no curse and life is very good again.
Adam and Eve are our example to us that God loves us too. He would demonstrate His love for us and for them in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom. 5:8) His death made the full payment for the sins of the world [All sins – past, present, and future]. (John 3:16) The animal coverings provided by God for Adam and Eve was a picture of the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice of God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Where are you looking for love?
If you are looking for love, don’t look for it in all the wrong places. Nothing wrong with emotions. But God’s love for you is different than our emotional love. It’s an action verb. His love has your best interest at heart. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”(John 15:13) Jesus laid down His life for you. He made the payment for the penalty of sin for you and for me. But it must be received by faith. Real love for others begins with understanding God’s love for you.
Know for sure where you will spend eternity – https://assuranceofheaven.com/assurance/
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Gal. 2:20
An abundant life in God begins when you know you are a child of God; completely forgiven and restored. The moment you trust in Him, you are saved from the penalty of sin. You can be assured of your place in Heaven. Truly understanding the Gospel is necessary for assurance and living a life pleasing to God. Read on and take the first step toward discovering the assurance of Heaven and finding confidence in your belief in the Lord.
Assurance of Heaven 