Called 2 Love: A Journey Into Marriage Intimacy Sample

You Are Loved!

Loving God and loving our neighbor are the greatest priorities of life. If you’re married, your closest neighbor is your spouse. This truth certainly defines a foremost priority as a husband or wife.

Here’s another important connection: loving your spouse as your neighbor or “near one” is grounded in loving yourself. Only when we embrace our worth to God are we free to love our partner like we have been loved by Jesus.

Your worth has been determined through the gift of Jesus at Calvary. Nothing that you do or don’t do can distract from his declaration of your worth to him.

When we’re in the midst of life’s challenges and traumas, we often seem to question God’s love for us the most. The more we experience Jesus’ reassurance of our worth to him and his love for us, the more we find freedom to love others.

Consider this penetrating question related to your worth and value to the Lord: What have you done this week to prompt the Lord to love you more?

Before you respond—the answer is NOTHING! Remember that God has already demonstrated his great love for you, in that while you were still a sinner, he sent his Son to die for you. Your worth has been declared. You are worth the gift of Jesus!

Scripture also reminds us that, “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5 NASB).

Pause to reflect on the truth that Jesus gave his life just for you! Not only for the whole world, but also for you! That is your identity. You are the beloved of God. Talk to God and let him know how this makes you feel.

Thank you, Father, that my worth has been securely established by your gift of Jesus. I’m amazed and grateful that I am the “beloved of God” because . . .

Claim the promise from John 13:34 that you are the “beloved” of God.