Inspirational Message: God’s Extraordinary Love

Without love we are nothing and everything may seem meaningless. Paul points out that faith and hope are important elements of Christianity and it all starts with love. Our savior modeled and proclaimed the greatest depth of love ever known to us! How has God shown His greatest love? What is a good daily reminder? The cross is always the greatest example of love ever known to man! How great is our God’s love? Can it be measured?

As followers of Jesus, we can respond to His love by loving others as God, through Christ, has loved us. Can love be considered a life line or fabric of life? Just as we need to eat and drink to stay alive, we also need love to sustain our minds and hearts. We need the love of family and also friends as we need a loving community. How and why do we need to give love? True love does not begin with us. The ability to love is greatly created in us by God (Genesis 1:26; John 3:16). He first loved us so that we can love others in a truly Christ-like manner. Our human love needs to be transformed by divine love because we need God’s help. We cannot lean on our own understanding. God’s divine intervention is always needed to shape us into what He wants. With faith, let us see His loving hand.

God’s extraordinary love is highlighted in Scriptures. We can share our experiences as we receive God’s love. Is His love different? Can we be replaced by humans? NO, NO NO! Human love can be tested by Matthew 5:44 with the words of Jesus who tells us how to love our enemies and those who hate us. We are to do good to them and to also pray for them. Are we strong enough to love those who spitefully use us and persecute us (Romans 12:14)? This is the ultimate test of our faith in God’s love and the certainty of salvation! God does not change (James 1:17). He loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). Let us continue reading and searching for more Scriptures that explain God’s special love for us as we strive to please Him daily with our decisions. Both Testaments show us a God of love.

Whatever else God is, whatever He has done, He will do and He is doing tell us the depth of His love. This love is comforting as it is difficult to understand. Let us remember that God’s love exceeds what humans actually label as love. God does not just show love or have love, He is love!

Mrs. Gladys R. McElmore, a resident of Norfolk’s Middle Town Arch Community, is a New Journal and Guide Freelance Contributor on religion. She is a native of Essex County, Va.