We may long to hear these words from a certain person, to confirm what we have been feeling ourselves.   Some of our hesitation may be in the uncertainty of the love being mutual.  Most often this can be in a relationship we hope may last for a lifetime.

We have experienced many forms of love through our years.  Words of affection can be received and we can become numb to them.   We have heard this person say the same thing over and over, and yet we do not give these words the importance we should in hearing them again.

John 3:16 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.

We can grow numb to the fact God loves us.  The struggles in this fallen world can wear us down when we are not resting in the love God has for us.

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

God’s love is always there, but for it to be truly effective, we must have a loving relationship with Him.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

These verses can be heard recited at a wedding, encouraging the couple to base their relationship on love.  God wants us to base our relationship with Him on love also.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

When we read these verses we realize the true power of love, and how that power is manifested in us.  Powerful Love cannot simply be practiced but must come from God when we are living in this love.

1 John 4:12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

We may question love because we are not sure of the giver being sincere.   We may doubt they know us well enough to love sincerely.  We can be certain God’s love is sincere because He knows us.

Psalm 139: 13-16 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

God knows us entirely.  We often think we can hide our actions from God, and we feel they are hidden when we don’t talk to God about them, but He knows.   God created us with a potential for love, but that will only be made complete through a relationship with Him.

We can be uncertain of how to nurture a relationship with God.  The Holy Bible is a very tangible way of spending time with God.  We just need to simply open our Bibles and hearts to God.

Jeremiah 29:12-13 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. .  I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.

We can find God’s answer when we seek Him with all our heart.  We can all feel captive perhaps by fear or situations, but having a personal relationship with our Lord, Jesus Christ will free us from the bondage that prevent us from reaching our full potential.  God does not want us to demonstrate our love to earn His love.  God wants us to experience His love, so that we may live in love.

1 John 4:16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

God’s love will not only last us a lifetime but for all of eternity.

Written and posted by Joyce E Poggensee

Verses referenced John 3:16, Matthew 11:28, 1 Corinthians 13:1-7,   1 John 4:12, Psalm 139: 13-16, Jeremiah 29:12-13, 1 John 4:16