This week, we are reminded of one of the greatest truths revealed in Scripture: that we are deeply loved by God. Jesus declares in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” The love of God is demonstrated not merely in His willingness to forgive our sins, but in His desire to restore us into eternal fellowship with Himself. Eternal life is not simply the promise of living forever as every single person will indeed live forever; but it is as Jesus defined it in John 17:3, saying, “…this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” Eternal life, therefore, is the present reality of knowing God intimately and walking in continual relationship with Him.
The depth and permanence of God’s love is metaphorically illustrated in Isaiah 49:15–16: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands.” God compares His love to that of a nursing mother—one of the deepest expressions of human affection— drawing contrast to that even such love can fail because it is human. God’s love, however, is perfect, steadfast, and unchanging. He assures us that because He has engraved us on His very hand, we are continually before Him and He is continuously watching over us, we never escape His care or His attention. This promise finds its ultimate fulfilment in the finished work of Christ. Following His resurrection, Jesus showed His disciples His hands and His side (John 20:20), revealing the scars that remain as an everlasting testimony of the price He willingly paid to reconcile us to the Father. The marks in His hands forever declare that we are remembered, redeemed, and loved.
The Apostle Paul further reinforces this truth in Romans 5:6–9, reminding us that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God’s love was never based on our merit, performance, or worthiness. He did not wait for us to become righteous before extending His love; rather, He demonstrated it while we were still powerless, ignorant and separated from Him. Now, having been justified by His blood, we have confidence to draw near to God without fear or condemnation. Our acceptance before Him rests entirely upon the finished work of Christ.
As we continue growing in our relationship with God, we begin to realise that love is not merely something God does, it is who He is (1 John 4:8). His nature becomes the foundation upon which we understand His dealings with us. Paul describes this divine nature in 1 Corinthians 13:4–7, showing that love is patient, kind, longsuffering, and free from envy, pride, selfishness, and resentment. These characteristics do not merely define how believers ought to love one another; they reveal the very character of God Himself. Consequently, our understanding of God must always be filtered through His nature of love, rather than through our circumstances or emotions.
This is why our walk with God is sustained by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Faith enables us to remain persuaded of God’s love even when circumstances appear contrary to His promises. Galatians 5:6 teaches that “faith working through love” is what avails in Christ Jesus. Love is therefore the environment in which faith flourishes. The greater our revelation of God’s love towards us, the stronger and more effective our faith becomes. For this reason, we must remain continually conscious of His love. This consciousness does not happen automatically; it is cultivated through fellowship with God. Jude exhorts believers, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God” (Jude 20–21). Prayer, meditation on the Word, and communion with the Holy Spirit are not instruments to earn God’s love, but rather, they keep our hearts anchored in the revelation of the love that has already been freely given to us in Christ. As we continually behold His love, our faith is strengthened, our fellowship with Him deepens, and we become increasingly transformed into the image of the One who first loved us. Brethren, let us believe it: we are loved by God!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us with an everlasting love. Thank You for sending Jesus Christ so that we may not only receive forgiveness of sins but also enter a deep and personal relationship with You. May our hearts remain rooted and grounded in the truth that we are deeply loved by You. Teach us to walk in love toward others just as You have loved us. May our lives continually reflect the beauty of knowing You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
