* Jesus Showed His Own Love For Us

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“And live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” –Ephesians 5:2

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” --Galatians 2:20

Today’s devotion has probably the most familiar Christian phrase known to the world, “Jesus Loves You.” However, what comes to our minds immediately about the love of Jesus says the most about what we believe about Him. If someone today says to you, “I was driving and saw a bumper sticker saying, ‘Jesus Love Me’ …what exactly does that mean?”

For many in the Church today they know more about love through the teaching of Dr. Phil and Oprah rather than God’s Holy Word. Many in fact aren’t even aware of how much of the world’s thinking regarding love dominates their lives. Unfortunately this teaching is leaking into the Church. No wonder why so many are confused and there are so many divisions. What a terrible testimony to the lost!

The Church at large today needs to repent and apply the very truths they ask of someone else, namely, renew your minds! If there is no integrity in the Church, then what hope does it offer?

People crave truth and desperately seek integrity and consistency in a world that shifts with the times. God’s Word is a rock, an unmovable pillar, it is eternal. If you want to know what a person looks like who seeks after God, read Psalm 119. This Psalm drips with passion!

The death of Christ is not only the demonstration of God’s love, it is also the supreme expression of Christ’s own love for all who receive it as their treasure. Those early Christians who suffered so much said, “Christ loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Gal 2:20). Jesus gave up His rights for us. Next time someone cuts you off on the freeway, a neighbor disrespects you by leaving their trash can on your property, or a friend forgets your birthday, think of how Jesus gave up His rights. It’s the little things of life that eat away at us and we can find freedom from these nagging annoyances by reminding ourselves of how our Lord gave Himself up for us.

“Christ loved me and gave Himself up for me”

Shouldn’t we also say the same? This is very personal. It is all about relationships. This is why the Word of God is living and active. It is not mere propositions to study and debate…it is living and active!

It is our sin that cuts us off from God, not sin in general. It is our hard-heartedness and spiritual numbness that demean the worth of Christ. We are the ones lost and perishing. When it comes to salvation, we have forfeited all claim on justice. All we can do is plead mercy. It is then we see Christ suffering and dying…for us!

Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her—Eph 5:25

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays
down his life for his friends—Jn 15:13

The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to
give His life as a ransom for many—Mt 20:28


What is the call of Jesus?
* Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved—Acts 16:31
* Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved—Rom 10:13
* Everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name—Acts 10:43
* To all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—Jn 1:12
* Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life—Jn 3:16

This is amazing. In human terms, who would die for his enemies? If I didn’t see myself as an enemy to Christ, will I ever be amazed at His love for me? This is what separates the “love talk” of the world from the love found in Scripture. The “love talk” of the world doesn’t save the soul!

This talk never speaks of one’s soul being lost and separated from a Holy God. This talk only seeks to make one’s life more comfortable in this world. Not all of the “love talk” is wrong or harmful—there are many good practical teachings, but the end leads to the same road—standing before a Holy God, guilty of breaking the first and tenth commandments.

You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not covet.

Every human that has ever walked the earth, save our Lord Jesus Christ has broken the first and tenth commandment. If we are guilty of one, we are guilty of all. Our only option when avoiding God is to argue, rationalize, or blame God…and we are right back to the Garden where both Adam and Eve rationalized and blamed each other. Shame and guilt are the two greatest testimonies of sin entering the human race. Who can say they have never experienced both? If they did, aren't they really in deep denial and self-protection. Sin destroys relationships!

Jesus paid the highest price possible to give me the greatest gift possible. The gift reflects His whole being as seen in His prayer; “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given Me, may be with Me where I am, to see My glory” (Jn 17:24). He died to secure this for us. Note the statement, “…may be with Me.” This is relational! This is living and active.

God designed relationships and intimately knows what we need and desire. He is also fully aware of our predicament here on earth. He didn’t leave us on our own. If you want to know what man will do, “on his own” read history. History is a constant scroll of depravity, of death and dying, of evil found in one war or battle after another.

Because of Christ’s love for us, may we have a heart for God and the things of God. May we reflect His desires and make a stand for the things that are good, pure, and right. Let us think of Jesus and the life He led. May we walk in gratitude of the hope we have inherited and a deeper appreciation of that famous truth, “Jesus loves you."

Jesus loves me! This I know,
for the Bible tells me so.
little ones to him belong;
they are weak, but he is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me! he who died
heaven's gate to open wide;
he will wash away my sin,
let his little child come in.

Gentle Jesus, with me stay
close beside me all the way;
when at last I come to die
take me home with thee on high.