One of the great themes of Scripture is the Jesus Christ Gospel Of Love.
And one of my favorite songs continues to be the celebration of that love.
You know this song, too. Wherever you are right now, go ahead and sing the first line: “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
Isn’t that a wonderful expression of the truth of God’s Word?
What never ceases to amaze me is the frequency with which Scripture teaches how Jesus loves us. Come with me now and feast on these verses:
“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
“The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
“Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2).
“Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25).
“This is how we know what love is: Christ laid down his life for us” (1 John 3:16).
“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).
What is the meaning of the love of God? These verses, and many others, answer this question plainly and beautifully: The love of God is expressed most clearly through the death of Christ.
What does the Bible mean when it says, “God loves you”? It means that “Christ died for you.”
And what is our response? In a word – worship. May our hearts be filled with praise, thanksgiving, adoration and celebration of the One who loved us by dying for us, so we could have freedom from the penalty, power and presence of sin in this life and the next.
May the love of God take your breath away, for “It is staggering that God should love sinners; yet it is true” (J.I. Packer).
“To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father – to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” (Revelation 1:5-6)
Do any of these verses resonate in your heart today? May it be so.
Perhaps you feel the need to spend time engaged in the following practice:
Commit part of each day this week to reflect on God’s love for you. Find a quiet place to read, meditate on and memorize the Scriptures above that remind you of his love. Be sure to include a time of worship – express your praise and thanksgiving to God for the way he has loved you through the death of his Son.