Tag: we love him because He first loved us

Released to Love

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“Therefore I say unto thee, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.” Luke 7:47

What does it mean to be forgiven?  We may immediately think of becoming unburdened from sins, a chance for a new start, and so forth.  And you are right.  All of that comes in the package of forgiveness.

But looking at the story of the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet at the dinner, I saw something more.  I saw that she was released to love in a way she had never loved before.

She was a woman of ill-repute, according to the thoughts of one of the Pharisees in attendance at the dinner (Luke 7:39).  He knew her to be a sinner.  He saw her as a sinner.  And he labeled her as a sinner.

She had a past filled with indiscretion and immorality.  Apparently, she had made wrong attempts to fill the love gap in her life, which would come undone once the pleasure associated with that dissipated.  She conducted a futile search to find the missing ingredient in her life that would give her something more – until one day, she met Jesus.

Like the Pharisee, Jesus, too, knew her past.  Jesus knew what she had done.  But, unlike the Pharisee who only offered criticism and disdain, Jesus offered her a chance, a way out.  Jesus offered her something she could not refuse.  He offered her forgiveness.  And, when the fullness of forgiveness landed in her heart, mind, and soul, an explosive release of love came over her, and she could not contain what she was feeling.

The woman known to be of ill-repute was seen as valued and treasured, something she could probably have never imagined.  The former sinner knew she was cherished and loved by the only One who could love her perfectly despite her past, and she, in turn, had the floodgates of her heart lifted, and a rush of love for her Savior came flowing out.

Forgiveness will release an uncontainable flood of love in your life.  This woman loved a lot because she had many bad judgments against her from which she was now free.  Thousands of years have passed since then, and the same forgiveness that Jesus Christ offered her (Luke 7:48) is still available today.  Are you ready to experience that great release?

“We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

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“You Are Loved by the King!”

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You, my friends, are so very much and incredibly loved by the King of all the universe.  There is so much that we face on a daily basis that tries to speak contrary to the blessedness we have in Him.  But, my God loves you with an undying love.  His heart is tied to His people.  His people need only to rest in the promises of His mercy, grace, power, and authority that makes their hearts soar on the wings of the hope we have in Him.

Today doesn’t have to be ordinary.  Today doesn’t have to control you.  Today doesn’t have the final say about your destiny in life.  When it all boils down to it, you have a reason to rejoice because your heavenly Father’s eye is on you.  He has marked you for greatness in Him.  You are covered and shielded by His love.  Therefore, let your heart be glad in the majesty of your Savior.  Let your soul celebrate because no matter what it looks like, you are a cherished vessel, and you are loved by the King of all!

“We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

 

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details. 

“An Awesome Love Story”

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Photo: Pixabay/pixel2013

I am more in love with Jesus today, and each day that follows, then when I first started out.  Though experiences and growth in this spiritual journey, I have come to recognize the sweetness I have found in my Savior.  The more I have gone through, and the more He has brought me through, the more I appreciate Him for holding my hand every step of the way.

In human relationships, there seems to be more excitement in the beginning of this adventure called love.  We can’t wait to see what happens next or can’t wait for the next visit or phone call.  But, as I have come to know my Savior over these years, my excitement in Him builds more and more.  Every day brings new revelations of how awesome His love is for me – and as one who sits back in the sun just to hear the birds sings – I sit in the splendor of His radiant presence and enjoy His love that sings over me.

His awesome love story with us is not like another.  It is complete yet renewing every day.  As a fountain that never runs dry, it is full, yet it is constantly “pouring” into our lives (Romans 5:5, NKJV), uncontainable and overflowing, giving us more and more of Him each day.  His love is not a one-shot deal.  But, it’s our covering, our reliance, our safety blanket, the cradle in which we rest in the comfort and care of the one who loves us best.

The awesomeness of His love story toward us was solidified when He was nailed to the cross.  But, can I tell you, it’s so much more than that.  He didn’t stop there, but rather chose every day of our lives to be there for us wherever we go – fully caring, fully involved, and fully in love with each one of us.

Why?

Because He has a “steadfast love” for us (Psalm 86:15, ESV).  His love is faithful, present, and enduring.  It is not easily swayed or moved from where we are, no matter how ugly it may appear at times.

When people would have given up on us in those ugly moments, He still moves toward us.

Why does He do that? Because He chooses to.

In most relationships, people come to a mutual understanding of love before they move forward.  Jesus is different.  His love for us was never dependent on what we did or didn’t do (remember those He prayed for while suffering on the cross).  He never waited for us to make the first move or come to some mutual understanding of what this love would be all about.  But, in the awesomeness of His love, Jesus moved forward in loving us while we were still “sinners” (Romans 5:8).

He has never waited for us to get it right or come out of those ugly shadows before we were counted worthy of His love. As a matter of fact, He showed us, love, before we showed signs of loving Him back.  In His passion for us, He always made the first move.  The Bible tells us, “We love him, because he first loved us,” (1 John 4:19).

So, if you are in doubt today about the awesomeness of His love story over you, no matter what voices are telling you, I am here to tell you differently.  You and me, we are all unequivocally loved by Jesus and there’s nothing we can do about it because He already did it all.  His love is constantly pouring into us, never giving up on us, and has already made the first move toward us.  All we can do is accept His love and sit back and bask in the awesomeness of it.  Now, that’s something to get excited about!

If you haven’t already, give Jesus your heart today and accept what He is already willing to give you.  Find a good Bible-based church and experience His awesome love story up close and personal.  He’s waiting for you.