The Love of GodSample

DAILY SCRIPTURE

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 4:10)

WHEN GOD LOOKS AT YOU...

As human beings, there are many things that can affect our view on life and the way we think about ourselves. Sometimes things are going well and we feel great, other times our situation or circumstances can leave us feeling flat or confused.

Certainly, the encouragement and support we receive from those closest to us can help us to navigate the hills and valleys of life. However, the one person whose opinion can shape and help us the most in our lives is Jesus.

Because of Jesus you are saved (see Rom 10:9), forgiven (see Acts 10:43), given eternal life (see Jn 3:16), you are a new creation (see 2 Cor 5:17), a child of God (see 1 Jn 3:1) and God himself lives in you (see 1 Cor 6:19)!

Life happens, seasons change, and some days are better than others. God’s opinion of you, on the other hand, does not change. He is constant in his thoughts towards you and does not waiver in his dedication to walking every step of your life with you. Your Father's love is not dependant on how you are feeling or the circumstances of your life. Instead, it is perfectly consistent in all seasons of life because of his promise to you in Christ. So, what does God see when he looks at you?

Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. (Colossians 1:22 NLT)

Let this passage be your confession, and let it penetrate deep within your heart, as God’s opinion of you is the opinion that truly matters. Since he views you in this way,  you are free to live your life from a foundation of perfect love, hope, joy and confidence as you follow Jesus. It is from this place of constant awareness of his presence with us and love for us that we can live our lives ready and able to do all that he has called us to do.

THOUGHTS FOR PRAYER AND REFLECTION

• How do you think God sees you? Does this match up with how scripture says he sees you?
• Is there anything you find challenging, comforting or surprising about the way God sees you?
• How can knowing God’s opinion of you change the way you approach life’s joys and challenges?