Love is
the centerpiece of thriving relationships. Scripture makes it clear that we
need to be people who love—love God with all our hearts, love our neighbor as
ourselves, and love our enemies. But it’s hard to love when we don’t feel
loved. Neglected children, spouses who feel ignored by their mates, and parents
who are alienated from their children all know the heartache of a life that
lacks love.
So, for
everyone who longs to be loved, welcome to the pleasure of knowing that you are
richly loved by God. Think of the profound impact of His love that was poured
out for you at the cross. Meditate on the fact that if you’ve trusted in Him,
His love covers your faults and failures and that you are clothed with His spotless
righteousness (Rom. 3:22-24). Revel in the fact that nothing can separate you
from His love (8:39). Embrace His loving provision of a future secured for you
where you will be eternally loved (John 3:16).
When John
tells us that we “ought to love one another,” he calls us the “beloved” (1 John
4:11; see also 3:1-2). Once you embrace how wonderfully loved you are by God,
it will be much easier to be the loving person God calls you to be—even toward
those who don’t show you love.
Embracing
God’s love for us is the key to loving others. (RBC)
