Judging The Love of God
By Tosin Lawal
Devotional Reading: God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.” (1 John 4:9 NLT)
Many people believe that God loves some individuals more than others. Reading through the gospel of John, one might assume that Jesus loved John more than the other disciples because John was often referred to as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” However, it’s interesting to note that such assertions are primarily found only in the gospel of John, which was written by John himself. It’s likely that John had taken Jesus’ love for him personally, which is highly commendable.
Feelings can be fickle, and experiences can be deceiving, but God’s Word remains the same for eternity. God loves you deeply, and you can never be more loved than you are right now. Our experiences can never invalidate the truth of God’s Word.
“God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him” (1 John 4:9 NLT). “For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life” (John 3:16 AMPC). The “world” in this passage refers to you and me.
The proof that God loves us is seen in His sending of Jesus to save us from our sins, granting us eternal life, and making us His children forever. The emphasis is on how much God loves us. He says, “For God so loved…” This shows that it was because of His excessive love for you and me that God gave us the gift of Jesus Christ. Praise God.
Beloved, you are loved and greatly treasured by God. See the love of God for you, and experience the warm embrace of His love. In the midst of your seemingly unpleasant experiences, always remember that God loves you deeply. God will never cause you harm. He is always with you and for you.
Prayer and Confession
God loves and greatly treasures me. His love for me never wavers. He is always with me and for me at all times.
Further Readings
John 3:16-18, Romans 5:1-11; 8: 31-39
