What If . . .

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:4-5, ESV)

If you had only a brief moment to tell someone who knew nothing about God just one thing, what would you say? How do you condense everything you know about God into one statement? Is it even possible? I think I might just tell them, “God loves you like no one else ever has!”

That one simple statement of “God loves you” goes deep. God is the perfect example of love because “God is love” (I John 4:8). When we understand what that really means, it becomes life changing. His love is pure, eternal, and unconditional.

I once visited a precious child of God in a care facility. Because of strokes and other health issues, her memory was greatly impaired; but she never forgot her Savior. When I walked in that day, an aide who was with her turned to me with tears in her eyes. “Do you know what she just said to me?” she questioned. “She told me, ‘God loves me and He loves you too.’” That assurance of God’s love moved the aide to tears.

God’s love is powerful. When we tell someone God loves them, we are assuring them of His faithfulness. He never forsakes us and never breaks His promises. His love is protective and forgiving. Most of all, His love is sacrificial.

• “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, ESV)
• “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:8, ESV)
• “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (I John 4:10, ESV)

How could we not recognize the magnitude of someone’s love who died in our place?

One of the greatest descriptions of love is found in I Corinthians 13. This short chapter not only shows us how we are to love one another, but it also describes the pure love of God. He is our example.

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” (I Corinthians 13:4-7, New Living Translation)

Verse 8 continues, “But love will last forever.” God’s love never runs out. It is not limited to just a select few. His amazing love is for you and for me. He created us and loves us unconditionally.

Today, take time to assure someone that God loves them and gave His life for them. It will be the most important thing they will hear.

Lord, I thank You for Your amazing love. Thank You for standing in my place and giving Your life so that I can be free from sin. Never let me forget to share the story of Your great love with those I meet. You freely give Your love to everyone.