The tagline on my blog says, “Putting God First and the Holy Relationships that Flow from our First Love.” I certainly haven’t lived my whole life by putting God first. Eight years ago, I started to really believe that God loved me as His child; I stopped trying to earn His love. I quit fearing His punishment and started just loving Him back. It was what he wanted all along: my love. Now it’s easy to put Him first in my life and enjoy the joy and security of the holy relationships that he gives me. These words from Blackaby’s Daily Devotional express my joy perfectly:
And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in Him. (1 John 4:16)
The greatest truth in all of Scripture is this: God is love. Understanding this in its full dimensions will set you free to enjoy all that is yours as a Christian. But you must accept that God loves you. If you grew up experiencing unconditional love in your family, this may not be difficult for you. However, if your early years were void of love, this truth may be hard to accept. God loves you, not because you deserve His love, but because His nature is love. The only way He will ever relate to you is in love. His love for you gives you an inherent worth that nothing can diminish.
If you cannot accept the truth that God loves you, you will be limited in how you can relate to Him. When He disciplines you, you will not take it as an expression of His love. Rather, you may resent Him. When God says no to a request that is less than His best for you, you will conclude that He doesn’t care about you. Without a clear understanding and acceptance of God’s love for you, you will be disoriented to Him and to what He wants to do in your life. If you will accept God’s love, however, you will be able to return love to God as well as to others (1 John 4:19).
Are you experiencing the profound sense of joy and security that comes from knowing you are dearly loved by God? Being assured of God’s love for you sets you free to enjoy the numerous expressions of love He showers upon you each day.
Today, I pray that you find the same joy and security that I do knowing that God really does love you.
Blessings,
Agatha