To experience God’s amazing love requires a response–to love as He does. That’s what I pray for–the ability to love others as God loves me. But how do I make that happen? Some folks are just not lovable.
Scripture has many love verses. 1 Corinthians 13 talks about unconditional love: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud . It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”
Romans 12:9-10 tells about love in action: “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Hosea 3:1 tells about relentless love: “The Lord said to me, ‘Go show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress.'” This is the hardest kind of love to show, but it’s not impossible. Many husbands/wives have forgiven their spouses and taken them back after they had affairs. It is surely a Godly way to love. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Yes, when we were still stuck in our sinful nature, Christ died for us. However, He doesn’t want us to stay that way. He wants us to become more like His Son, Jesus.
THINK ABOUT IT
The second part of the relentless love verse is, “Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods . . .” (Hosea 3:1b). We could make that personal–God loves us even though we have turned out backs on Him, chosen our ways over His ways, loved the things of this world more than Him. God loves each us with a relentless love. Let that love impact your life today.
PRAY ABOUT IT
Thank you, Holy God, for your amazing, relentless love. We do not deserve such love, but you love us anyway. Help us to live in light of your relentless love today and forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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