“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” — 1 John 4:9-10
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“Love” is one of those words we tend to just throw around, or at least I do. I find myself saying, “I love pizza. I love wings. I love basketball. I love the Steelers.” I’m sure your list could also include some of your favorite foods, snacks, drinks, hobbies or even sports teams. But then I also find myself saying, “I love my wife. I love my kids. I love my parents. I love my family.” I’m sure we all understand that my love for pizza is not the same love that I have for my family.
Let’s now consider God’s love. The love that God has for us doesn’t even belong in the same paragraph, let alone on the same page, when we compare it with the things we love. His love is perfect. His love is unconditional. His love is constant. Be sure to take time to read 1 Corinthians 13 because true love, the type of love God has for us, is clearly spelled out.
An amazing truth that God has been revealing to me is that love is action. Love is always about doing. It’s more than just saying. I can tell my wife over and over that I love her, but if I never do anything for her or with her, she will begin to really question my love. The same goes for my kids. I can tell my kids that I love them, but if I don’t invest in their lives and spend time with them, there’s no doubt they will question my love for them.
See, love is action. It’s about doing. It’s not just what we say, it’s what we do. Aren’t you glad Christ loves us this way? He not only tells us that He loves us but He shows us. John 3:16 tells us that “God so loved the world that he gave.” There’s the action! First John 4:9 says, “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent …” Again, there’s the action!
Let’s be careful not to just say the words “I love you,” but to show the words “I love you.” This is important with our earthly relationships but more important with our spiritual relationship with our Heavenly Father. There’s no doubt that God wants to hear us say, “I love you, God.” But I’m certain He also wants to see us say, “I love you, God.”
Thank You, Lord, that You tell us in Your Word that You love us. But more importantly, thank You for showing us that You love us by sending Your only Son to earth to fulfill Your purposes. He was sent to be our incredible substitute and to die on the cross for our sins. Thank You, Jesus, for taking my place and showing me just how much You love me. I love You! May I show it and not just say it.
Prayer: “Dear God, thank You so much for Your unconditional love. I am so grateful that Your Word not only says how much You love me but also shows how much You love me. Thank You, Jesus, for taking my place on that cross and being my substitute. May I love others as You love me — with words and actions.”
— Jim Good
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