Read:
Psalm 22:1 “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?”
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 8:39 “Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Think:
Have you ever wondered what people ask about God on the internet? Surprisingly, one common inquiry that pops up is, "Why does God hate me?" It's unsettling to see that believers also question, "Does Jesus truly love me?" when faced with discouragement and trials. Too often, we rely on our feelings as an unreliable compass. Emotions rarely provide a reliable measure of truth.
Questions like "Am I lovable?" or "Have I done enough to earn love?" stem from human emotions, but the answer lies not in feelings but in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Consider this: God's love was so immense that he sent his son, Jesus, to die for us. How do we know God loves us? We see it in the objective truth that Christ came for us even when we were his enemies, far away and living in sin. When doubts about God's love arise, we need to fix our gaze on what Christ has undeniably accomplished for us—he pursued, sought, and saved us.
This kind of love—biblical "unconditional love," also known as agape love—originates entirely from God, flowing out from his nature onto us. Human love often hinges on the qualities of the one we love, leading to the common notion of "falling in and out of love." What once made our hearts soar can disappoint the next day. But God’s nature – and his love for us – never changes.
When we question God's love, the solution isn't found in judging ourselves, our love, or our faithfulness. Instead, we're called to anchor our certainty of his love in the unchanging reality of what God has done for us through Christ.
As the biblical theologian Geerhardus Vos beautifully said, "The best proof that he will never cease to love us is that he never began." Jesus' love for us is eternal—it has existed since forever and will endure for all eternity.
Apply:
Anchor your trust in God's promises, such as Romans 8:38-39, 1 John 4:9-11, or Ephesians 2:4-5. Demonstrating God's love to those around you reinforces the reality of his love working through you. How can you show someone God’s love today?
Pray:
Father, thank you for your boundless love that surpasses all understanding. I surrender my doubts, fears, and feelings of unworthiness to you. Replace them with the assurance that your love is constant, enduring, and independent of my merits. In Jesus’ name. Amen.