1 John 4:19 (NKJV) — 19 We love Him because He first loved us.
Last night I found myself once again thinking of God in terms of what God
has and can do for me. (I do not think there is anything wrong with this.)
Then the thought came, “Do I love God only because of what He has done
for me?” Do I look at God as an eternal Santa Claus or grandfather?
Christians have experienced God’s love through salvation. We realize our
salvation is based on what God has done for us. Can we love God without
any expectation of His loving us? God’s love is not always easy to
understand. If someone hates us the world teaches us to hate them back.
God does not hate those who hate Him.
Can a person go through the day and just love God because He is God?
Psalm 63:3 says, “Because Your loving kindness is better than life, My lips
shall praise You.” Again, the psalmist expresses his love for God based on
God’s love. It is obvious we cannot love outside of God’s love.
The world should be thankful for God’s love. Jesus in speaking to His
disciples said, “I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I
have loved you, so you also must love each other. This is how everyone will
know that you are my disciples when you love each other.” (John 13:34-35)
I realize I cannot fully understand God’s love.
Paul writes in Ephesians 3:17–19, “that Christ may dwell in your hearts
through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able
to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth
and height—19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you
may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
To know, to experience the love of Christ is to love. I may not totally
understand His love but as I grow in Christ I grow in His love. I praise God
and love God not because of all the mighty things He has done, but just
because of who He is. Because God’s love lives in me I love Him and serve
Him and love others. Even those who do not love me.