In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
–1 John 4:10
Love and life: two things we crave and are afraid to lose.
We want to live life to the fullest and to love and be loved deeply. Yet, these ideas we have in mind are often a far cry from what we experience.
We don’t know how to fully live or deeply love. We experience a shadow of what we were created to experience. Eden (as described in Genesis) shows us what the Creator intended for us: living and loving in direct relationship and communion with Him and with each other.
Our poor choices physically separated us from our God, leaving us with the desire to return to true life and love. We may not always love well, but it isn’t up to us to make ourselves loving.
1 John 4:10 tells us that God makes the first move. He loved us first and promises to continue loving us. Because of this love, we will get to experience the meaningful life and love we desire. We focus on getting love, but Jesus focused on giving it — to the point of also giving us life.
Jesus sacrificed Himself so we would be able to re-enter a direct relationship with Him. His sacrifice is our lifeline, a promise of the everlasting life we’ll have with Him if we only accept His gift.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, I accept Your saving sacrifice. Thank You for loving me first and for giving me the hope of eternal life with You. In Your name I pray, Amen.
Reflection
What does it mean for me and my relationships to know that God loved me enough to give me the hope of eternal life?