This is an excerpt from HomeLife Magazine.
Our culture has a lot to say about love. Nearly everyone understands that love is a good thing, and we need more of it in our world. But while cute graphics preach at us to love more, there is only One who has ever perfectly displayed what real love looks like.
To understand the love of God, we must understand who we are compared to Him. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Since Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden tree, we were all born separated from our Creator because of sin. We were unlovable, enemies of God, and slaves to our sin nature.
There is only One who has ever perfectly displayed what real love looks like.
Jen McCaman
Yet, God didn’t abandon us. John 3:16 says, “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” God loved us so much, He made a way for us to be with Him — the death of His own Son. Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, and died a sinner’s death on the cross in our place. He rose again, defeating death and showing that the payment for sin was complete.
John 15:13 tells us, “No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus modeled perfect love when He went to the cross for us.
For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
How do we get the work of Christ applied to our own lives? Through faith alone. Maybe you’ve been in a situation where you’ve had to earn love from someone else. This isn’t how God works. Ephesians 2:8-9 reads, “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.” God’s love isn’t conditional on your spiritual performance. We’re saved through faith in Christ alone.
If you’re ready to experience the uncon- ditional love of your heavenly Father and believe Jesus died for your sins, receive a new life through Christ by praying a prayer like this one: Dear God, I know I’m a sinner. I believe Jesus died to forgive me of my sins. I now accept Your offer of eternal life. Thank You for forgiving me. From this day forward, I will choose to follow You.
If you’d like to speak with someone about how to have a new life in Christ, call 888.537.8720. If you prayed this prayer for the first time, please seek out a local church.
You were never designed to live for Christ on your own. You were made for commu- nity with other believers. Just like you, the church isn’t perfect, but full of other believ- ers seeking to live for God. Take a risk and find community in a church near you.
