THIS I KNOW: God’s Incredible Love

June has featured Devotionals written by our GBFC Youth. Here is what God is doing in the lives of our youth. Be encouraged by the Word of God and their devotional that they are sharing today!

SCRIPTURE: “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God.” Romans 5:8-9 (ESV)

Before we came to Christ, we were dead in our trespasses and slaves to sin. But God, through his sovereignty and love, freed us from sin through Christ’s death and resurrection. However, our salvation does not give us the freedom or license to sin. If it did, that would make what Jesus did on the cross invalid and in vain. There would be no need for him to save us if there was no consequence for sin which is death (Romans 6:23).

Most of us know that God is love and it’s not his only attribute. Just to name a few, God is also a God of justice, wrath, and righteousness. If you watch the news or read internet articles, you may have heard the popular phrase, “God is Love.” But what do people really mean? Does it mean that we get to do anything we want and have no consequences because God loves us?

Absolutely not! God’s love demands so much and is strange to the world (1 John 3:1). Why would He love us even though we are sinners? When Jesus was severely beaten, spat on, and flogged for our sins, He said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). Instead of retaliating and displaying his wrath, He showed love by asking God to forgive sinners. He showed his love by willingly dying for our sins, taking the punishment we all deserve. He took on the weight of our guilt, shame, and condemnation so that we could be reconciled with God and experience the fullness of His love and grace.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for Your unconditional love and the redemption we have received through Jesus Christ. Thank You for demonstrating Your love for us while we were still sinners. Help us to grasp the depth of Your love and to respond with hearts filled with gratitude and surrender. Grant us endurance to continually seek to live lives that reflect Your love for the world around us. Strengthen us in moments of doubt or struggle, reminding us of the truth of Your love and the assurance of our salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
By Bro. Valarous  Lingham