God’s Love is Forever
A devotional by Essie Faye Taylor
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”—John 3:16 (NIV)
I am often in awe of God’s love for me.
It is stronger than everything and anyone on earth. It is more powerful than anyone or anything under the earth or in the supernatural world. His love for me is incomprehensible, unexplainable, and inescapable. There is nothing that I can do to evade God’s love for me. He loves me just as I am, without condition. What great love!
As humans, we are flawed. We all have our imperfections. We have our faults and character flaws. Many would think that our imperfections mean that we are not worthy of love. John 3:16 declares the opposite. An omnipotent and omniscient God who created the universe and everything in it loves humanity with an everlasting love. There is nothing that we can do or say that would eradicate His eternal love for us because He is Love. The Apostle John—the one beloved by Jesus Christ—declares God’s passion for humanity. God has committed to love humanity throughout eternity. He has decided to choose us over and over again, even in times when we reject Him or when we deny His very existence. He still loves us.
In fact, God’s love moved Him to action. God loved humanity so intensely that He gave His Son to save us. When you love someone, you can’t help but to give to that person. Maybe you give your time, talent, and treasure. Or you’d give your presence, empathy, encouragement, and kindness. God’s gift of His Son (Jesus Christ) demonstrates His deep love for humankind.
The Bible says God gave His only Son. What a difference compared to what we humans would give. Some people would give only if they have enough for themselves and extra to share. God gave His only—the last that He had. In some cultures, it is said that if a man gives a woman his last bite of food, he truly loves her. God as our Heavenly Father gave His only Son to us in a grand gesture of love.
God gave His only Son to be crucified in our place in order to redeem mankind from eternal death. Instead of seeing us eternally lost because of the penalty of our sin, He sacrificed His only Son. Jesus took the judgment that we were to receive because Adam and Eve (our First Parents who were also the first humans ever created) sinned against God in the Garden of Eden. We were guilty. Jesus was innocent. Yet, He died in our place so that we could receive forgiveness and walk in right fellowship with God once again. Because of God’s love for humanity, He deemed us worth saving and sacrificed His only Son to bring us back into right fellowship with Him.
God demonstrated His love to us so that whoever believes in Him will not perish because of the penalty of sin. Instead, because of the work of Jesus on the cross all humanity can receive God’s free gift of salvation that will result in eternal life in Heaven.
Jesus saved us from the penalty of sin because of His immense love for us. What does your love for God cause you to do or refrain from doing? How does your love for God govern your everyday choices? How does your love for your friends and family guide your life choices?
Call to Action:
As humans, we are flawed. We all have our imperfections. We have our faults and character flaws. Many would think that our imperfections mean that we are not worthy of love. John 3:16 declares the opposite. An omnipotent and omniscient God who created the universe and everything in it loves humanity with an everlasting love. There is nothing that we can do or say that would eradicate His eternal love for us because He is Love. The Apostle John—the one beloved by Jesus Christ—declares God’s passion for humanity. God has committed to love humanity throughout eternity. He has decided to choose us over and over again, even in times when we reject Him or when we deny His very existence. He still loves us.
In fact, God’s love moved Him to action. God loved humanity so intensely that He gave His Son to save us. When you love someone, you can’t help but to give to that person. Maybe you give your time, talent, and treasure. Or you’d give your presence, empathy, encouragement, and kindness. God’s gift of His Son (Jesus Christ) demonstrates His deep love for humankind.
The Bible says God gave His only Son. What a difference compared to what we humans would give. Some people would give only if they have enough for themselves and extra to share. God gave His only—the last that He had. In some cultures, it is said that if a man gives a woman his last bite of food, he truly loves her. God as our Heavenly Father gave His only Son to us in a grand gesture of love.
God gave His only Son to be crucified in our place in order to redeem mankind from eternal death. Instead of seeing us eternally lost because of the penalty of our sin, He sacrificed His only Son. Jesus took the judgment that we were to receive because Adam and Eve (our First Parents who were also the first humans ever created) sinned against God in the Garden of Eden. We were guilty. Jesus was innocent. Yet, He died in our place so that we could receive forgiveness and walk in right fellowship with God once again. Because of God’s love for humanity, He deemed us worth saving and sacrificed His only Son to bring us back into right fellowship with Him.
God demonstrated His love to us so that whoever believes in Him will not perish because of the penalty of sin. Instead, because of the work of Jesus on the cross all humanity can receive God’s free gift of salvation that will result in eternal life in Heaven.
Jesus saved us from the penalty of sin because of His immense love for us. What does your love for God cause you to do or refrain from doing? How does your love for God govern your everyday choices? How does your love for your friends and family guide your life choices?
Call to Action:
1. Acknowledge God’s gift of love. Don’t believe the lies of the enemy; believe that God loves you deeply.
2. Receive God’s love and respond to it. Choose to love Him in return and live according to your love for Him.
3. Choose to align your lifestyle with God’s standards and principles because of your love for Him. Love causes us to act in some ways and refrain from acting in other ways.
4. Share God’s love and His Gospel with others.
5. Remember: God loves you just as you are, without condition and eternally.
Let's Pray:
Heavenly Father, I thank You for loving me and giving your Son that I might not perish but have eternal life. Thank You for assuring me of your love and forgiveness. Thank you for sending Jesus to die in my place in order to pay the price for the sin of humankind. As a result, I have the hope of spending eternity with you in your holy presence. Thank You for your ultimate sacrifice because of love. Thank You that You are Love. Help me to acknowledge your love, receive your love, and respond accordingly. Lord, help me to share Your love with others. Thank you, Father God, for hearing my prayers and answering me. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Song of Reflection: “Forever” by Kari Jobe. Listen to it here.
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Author Bio:
Essie Taylor is an author, educator, minister, youth advocate, recording artist, podcaster, and improviser. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Rockford College.
She is a veteran educator of Bilingual Education, English as a Second Language, and Spanish Language Acquisition with National Board Teacher Certification. She is an advocate of lifelong learning, language learning, and multiculturalism.
Essie is the CEO of KenMar Press, an author agency, and The Essie Faye Collection. Essie is the author of Finding the Love You Deserve: 30 Lessons in Self-Love & Acceptance, and Finding The Love Your Deserve: A 60-Day Healing Journal For Women of Faith.
She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path. She loves God, people, and helping others.
Essie has been a Christian for nearly all of her 39 years. She was born again at 15 years old. She has been a bilingual worship leader and interpreter for 10+ years. By the grace of God, Essie helped to establish bilingual ministries at five churches in her young life. She is a survivor of domestic violence (verbal and emotional abuse) and marital abandonment in a prior marriage.
Essie is a Chicago native. She lives in Chicago with her husband Donald Taylor II.
~*~
Connect with Essie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Website: www.essiefayetaylor.com
Essie is the CEO of KenMar Press, an author agency, and The Essie Faye Collection. Essie is the author of Finding the Love You Deserve: 30 Lessons in Self-Love & Acceptance, and Finding The Love Your Deserve: A 60-Day Healing Journal For Women of Faith.
She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path. She loves God, people, and helping others.
Essie has been a Christian for nearly all of her 39 years. She was born again at 15 years old. She has been a bilingual worship leader and interpreter for 10+ years. By the grace of God, Essie helped to establish bilingual ministries at five churches in her young life. She is a survivor of domestic violence (verbal and emotional abuse) and marital abandonment in a prior marriage.
Essie is a Chicago native. She lives in Chicago with her husband Donald Taylor II.
~*~
Connect with Essie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Website: www.essiefayetaylor.com
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