The Love of Godنموونە

DAILY SCRIPTURE

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.
(1 John 4:9)

WHAT GOD’S LOVE IS LIKE

God’s love is sacrificial and wonderfully merciful. It is staggering to think that Jesus, the one in whom (and through whom) all things were created, would set aside his glory in heaven to come to earth and do what was necessary to allow you and I the opportunity to enter into his perfect love and presence forever. God sent his one and only Son, the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world, so that we could have life through him. Before we even had a problem, God had the solution.

Take some time as you spend this moment with God to think about some of the ways God speaks of and displays his love in the scriptures, and how he has done so in your own life to this point. From the picture of the Father’s love in the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), to Jesus washing his disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17), to the Holy Spirit filling the believers with his beautiful presence (Acts 2:1-11), there are so many ways God wants to communicate his love for you through his word and through your relationship with him.

And, of course, remember Jesus on the cross. For the joy set before him, Jesus endured it all (see Hebrews 12:2). He did it for you and for me, holding nothing back, displaying God’s love for all the world to see. That is what God’s love is like - powerful, personal, sacrificial, excessive, beautiful, all-encompassing, liberating, life-giving, restorative, hope-filled... the list goes on. You are loved, treasured and valued by God beyond measure. This is one of the simple yet profound truths of the gospel, the gospel we have the privilege of sharing with a world in need.

THOUGHTS FOR PRAYER AND REFLECTION

• What are some of your favourite scriptures about God’s love?
• Write a letter to God thanking him for all the ways he has shown his love to you in your life.