I Can Love, Because He First Loves Me

In review of Ephesians 1:4-5 it says, "Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure."

Bottom Line:

Before it all started, God chose us, through what Christ would do, to live with him and be one of his holy people, without blame.  God decided this through Jesus, in advance that he would adopt us.  This was his pleasure and purpose.

What this means to me:

Before it all started, God loved and chose me, to live with him and to be one of his holy, innocent and loving people. One without blame before him. God had decided through Jesus Christ, way in advance, that he would adopt me into his own family. This is what he wanted to do and it gave him great pleasure to do it. When I experience times when I don’t feel I’m going anywhere with my spiritual growth, its not because I’m not loving God, but rather that I’m not understanding how much he loves me. Love is always a response to love. The Bible says, “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19 NIV). If I’m thinking, “I don't love God,” it's because I’m forgetting just how much he really loves me. In understanding my life’s purpose and calling, I need to begin with God’s nature. God is love. Love is the essence of his nature. The only reason there is love in the universe is because of God. Ants and snails do not love, but I was made in God’s image, so that I can love as well. The reason I’m alive is because God wanted to love me. The first purpose of my life is to be loved by God! It is important to serve him, obey, and trust him, however, my first purpose is to love him. Food for thought today.. My first duty is not to do anything but just be loved by God. It is quite comforting to remember just how much God loves and cares about me. Resting in God’s love is a great way to remind myself that my life should be all about showing love to others.