“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life…”
John 3:16 AMP
This is a very known scripture that we are very familiar with, however do we really understand what this verse means. This verse tends to be quoted very loosely without a deep understanding or a personal revelation.
God is love! That is his nature, personality, character and person. God’s love is not comparable to the love of ‘man’ (humans). His love is unconditional, unmerited and undeserving. It’s not based on anything we do or say. God loves you & I regardless.
It’s probably a difficult truth to believe because human love tends to be shown when we do something good or say something that is pleasing to another person. Human love feels like it needs to be earned or deserved, so we behave in the same way towards God. We feel and (at most times), try to do things to please God with the expectation that God will love us more based on what we do (e.g. pray more, read the Bible more etc.)
The truth is, there is nothing we can do that will increase or decrease the love that God has for us. Even if you feel undeserving of his love, God still LOVES YOU! There is nothing that can or will stop God loving you despite how you feel.
“..Who shall ever separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?..”
Romans 8:35 AMP
God loves you & I so much that he sent his only begotten son Jesus to save us from the wicked plan of Satan, so that we can enjoy a life filled with his abundance, fruitfulness and much more.
God’s plan has always been to have an intimate relationship with his creation (you & I) like how it was at the beginning with Adam.
SIN caused man to depart from the presence of God but that was not God’s plan from the beginning, so he sent Jesus to restore us back to the place of intimacy with him.
However, most of us find it difficult to reciprocate his love and make it less of a priority to be intimate with God. Instead, we have replaced the desire for an intimate relationship with God with other things or other people.
“..But I have this [charge] against you, that you have left your first love [you have lost the depth of love that you first had for Me]. So remember the heights from which you have fallen, and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will] and do the works you did at first [when you first knew Me]; otherwise, I will visit you and remove your lampstand (the church, its impact) from its place—unless you repent…”
Revelation 2:4-5 AMP
There is nothing that can be compared to the love of God and that’s why God should always be and remain OUR FIRST LOVE. When we desire to have an intimate relationship with God and make it our priority, we enjoy the abundance and pleasures of God. When we place God first in our lives, he makes the matters of our lives a priority.
“..But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also…” Matthew 6:33 AMP
Just like Adam at the beginning, he didn’t have to ask for anything including his wife Eve, because he delighted in his intimate relationship with God, which was his priority above all things. God was his first love! There was nothing God did not provide for Adam.
And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose…”
Romans 8:28, AMP
God’s love for us is unchanging, unconditional, undeserving and unmerited. Jesus was sent to the world to restore us back to that intimate place with God for eternity. His mission was accomplished so nothing can seperate us from the love of God.
Brothers & Sisters, return to YOUR FIRST LOVE and make it a priority to be intimate with God and abide in his divine presence. He’s waiting!
Remain blessed & encouraged