HE FIRST LOVED ME

“We love him,
because he first loved us.”
1 John 4:19
King James Version

The love of God is steadfast, pure, and passionate and endures forever. Romans 5:7-8 says, “Very few people will die to save the life of someone else. Although perhaps for a good person someone might possibly die. But God shows his great love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners.” God demonstrated his great love toward us even before we made a decision to live, serve or love Him. John 15:13 says, “And here is how to measure it – the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends.” While we were yet enemies of God, He called us friends and laid down His life so that we would have life and life more abundantly (John 10:10).
He first loved us. It was not because we were so good. Isaiah 64:6 says, “we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Yet, he chose to love us and demonstrate his love by dying on the cross to redeem us. In His infinite wisdom, he knew many would reject, ignore and disobey him. Yet, he died. Nothing would stop his love, not even death, hell or the grave. His love is passionate.
Song of Solomon 8:6 says, “Love is invincible facing danger and death. Passion laughs at the terrors of hell.” He rescued us from the clutches and bondage of sin and destroyed the power of sin, death, hell and the grave. His love triumphs over every obstacle and cannot be stopped.
What is the only logical response to this awesome love? It only makes sense to respond to Him with passion, commitment, honor and reverence. We should no longer live unto ourselves, but live for the one who gave His life for us. We should love him much because we have been forgiven of much (Luke 7:47). To reject this type of unconditional love or to treat it irreverently is insanity!
Romans 5:8 says, “For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” Today, take time to thank God for His love and evaluate your love for Him. Pray and ask the Lord to help you to further ‘know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God’ (Ephesians 3:19). He loved your first, love Him back!