“but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
Scripture reading: John 3:16-18
After Thanksgiving, many kids’ thoughts turn toward Christmas – specifically creating their Wishlist and getting piles of presents. They think, “I’d love to have…” We are familiar with a kind of lustful love, whether we’d love to have a thing, an experience, a relationship, or recognition. However, God’s love was such a radically new idea that the New Testament authors used a different Greek word to express it: agape. Let’s take some time today and tomorrow to wrap our minds around God’s love.
Agape is an action God does to show His goodness. It prompts Him to deal generously and kindly. His love shows the affection He feels. Who receives His love? Individual sinners. Sinners are people who have broken God’s law not just in action, but in their core; therefore, sinners deserve forever punishment from God. Every human (except Jesus) is a sinner. When God chooses not to punish a sinner, He is merciful. When He gives them gifts, He is gracious. God doesn’t show mercy and grace because the sinners did or said something, but because He chose to do this. God is very personal when he loves. Before God created the world, He selected specific people to whom He would show His love. God’s love to sinners was acted through the gift of His Son to be their Saviour. It was very costly. Can you think of a terrible person? Can you imagine giving them a special expensive Christmas present? This is similar to agape love.
Suggestions for prayer
Confession your sins to God and thank God for His mercy and grace to individual sinners. Ask Him to help you show love like Him to those around you today.
Katelyn Van Haren is a member of Redeemer United Reformed Church in Lacombe, Alberta. She received a liberal arts degree from Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ontario in honours accounting and is a CPA. Katelyn and her husband have five children. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com