Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  -1 John 4:7-10

Settle this truth before you do anything else...God loves you!

Before you think about serving God, before you ever consider saying “yes” to ministry, before you ever take a step in obedience, let this really sink in: God loves you.

...Not because you agree with Him.
...Not because you desire to please Him.
...Not because you have proven yourself faithful in His service.
...Not because of anything you have thought, felt, been or done, but because of who He is.

1 John 4:10 tells us that love begins with God. “Not that we have loved God, but that He loved us.” His love moves first. His love initiates. His love acts. Romans 5:8 reminds us, “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Before repentance, before maturity, before ministry — there was love. His love is not reluctant or temporary. Jeremiah 31:3 declares, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued My faithfulness to you.” Everlasting means it has no beginning and no end. God’s heart toward you has always been affection.

From the beginning, what God has desired most is fellowship with His people. Enoch “walked with God,” and one day God simply took him home. That is the language of closeness. That is intimacy. David is remembered not first as a king or warrior, but as “a man after God’s own heart.” What distinguished him most was not achievement, but His desire for God, and that came from God's desire for him. When God delivered Israel from slavery in the book of Exodus, it was not merely to relocate them geographically or to free them politically. God told Moses to tell Pharoah why He delivered freed them so they could worship Him — so they could meet with Him at Mt. Sinai, so He could dwell among them. Redemption was about relationship. Jesus said on the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34). Jesus asked for the forgiveness of his murderers so that they might one day repent and be able to spend eternity with God- imagine that!

God does not merely want your agreement. He does not just want your personal holiness. He does not only want your obedience. He wants you.

He wants you near;
He wants you listening;
He wants you walking with Him;
He wants you to want Him;
He wants you to be with Him. Forever.

Today, pause. Sit with this truth. Let it sink into the deep places of your soul...God loves you!!!

Reflection Questions

  1. According to 1 John 4:6–10, what does it mean that love begins with God and not with you? How does that change the way you view your relationship with Him?

  2. Romans 5:8 says Christ died for us “while we were still sinners.” How does knowing God loved you at your worst affect how you approach Him today?

  3. Jeremiah 31:3 speaks of God’s “everlasting love.” Where do you most need to believe that His love for you is steady and enduring?

  4. Throughout Scripture, God consistently draws people into close fellowship with Himself (Israel in Exodus, Enoch, David). Do you see your relationship with God primarily as duty, friendship, worship, or something else? Why?

  5. In what ways have you been tempted to serve God in order to earn His approval? What would it look like for your service to flow from being loved instead?

Let Us Pray

Father,

Thank You for loving me first. Thank You that Your love does not depend on my performance, my consistency, or my strength. You loved me while I was still far from You. You love me with an everlasting love.

Forgive me for the times I have tried to earn what You have already freely given. Forgive me for serving out of pressure, fear, or obligation instead of gratitude and joy.  Teach me to abide in Your love. Help me slow down and receive it. Quiet my striving. Remind me that before I am sent, I am loved; before I serve, I belong to You.  Create in me a heart like David’s — one that seeks after Your heart. Draw me into closer fellowship with You. Let my desire to serve You grow out of a deep and steady love for You.  This week, anchor me in Your affection. Let everything I do flow from knowing that I am Yours.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.