God’s love is more vital to faith than many realize. Without it, walking by true faith is impossible. Even Scripture makes it clear: For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love (Galatians 5:6). Why is love so important? Obviously, our primary motivation behind anything we do should be love; but without having love in proper perspective, faith will always be a struggle. In one respect, as long as one doesn’t receive God’s love, he or she will have an improper view of Him. If you fail to believe He does indeed love you, you could actually believe that He prefers other people over you. Not to mention the fact you won’t believe He has your best interest at heart. If you don’t believe He loves you, you will not fully trust Him, and without that trust, you’ll find it most difficult to believe anything He says. This interferes with faith. Some believe that others have more faith than themselves. They think that only “special people” can move mountains. Are they saying, they’re not special? Doesn’t the Cross reveal their value to God? Because they don’t believe He loves them equally with the rest of His children, they disqualify themselves from walking by faith, while elevating others to places they don’t belong. For a clearer understanding of how faith actually works, read “Perfect Love, Perfect Faith.
1 John 4:7-10 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins (NASB).
1 John 4:16-18 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17. By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. 18. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 19. We love, because He first loved us (NASB).
Remember that if you love God it’s because He loved you first, which also serves as evidence of His love for you. In addition: who reached out to who? You did not reach out to God; rather, He reached out to you.
It’s important to allow God to affirm you in His love; otherwise, your faith may become vain.
Prior to Jesus Christ, many who didn’t know what it was to be loved by their parents or family members, sought affirmation elsewhere. Some became what society considers respectable and successful. They centered on becoming the some of the brightest people on the planet. Whether it was in the realm of business, medicine, education, science and so on, they were going to find that place of prominence. Unfortunately, enough would never be enough. As soon as they hit their goal in life, dissatisfaction would soon set in again, because the affirmation that accompanied it was both shallow and temporary. Shallow in that love or affection was based on performance; not who they are. It’s like the rich guy who doesn’t trust people’s affection, because he doesn’t know if they want him or his money. Performance based affirmation always requires more doing. No one’s free to be themselves in that scenario. As long a person performs well under that system, he will “love” himself, but not in truth. The moment he fails to perform; he will despise himself. Of course, there are those who went the opposite direction. They turned to such things as violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and even crime. Because they were unloved by those who should love them, they consider themselves worthless. As a matter of fact, both camps tend to think that way. One side is busy trying to prove they’re not worthless, while the other is proving they are worthless.
Those who feel worthless, find it difficult to receive love. Again, some find it difficult to become successful because they don’t believe they’re good enough to succeed; but, everyone else is. A number of believers still live under this bondage. Until they believe and receive the love of the Father, they’ll be stuck where they are. Neither truly know their worth in God’s eyes. Remember, the Cross is a Symbol of worth. It’s a Symbol of love.
Those who are stuck in this mindset feel they have to serve; whereas, those who are free of it, get to serve because they are free to serve. People suffer burnout because they are driven, and not led of Holy Spirit. Because they are bent on proving their worth, they cannot say no when asked. They volunteer at times they should let others fill the position. That’s not to say one should always say no. It’s a question of boundaries. People overextend themselves because they want to please people, because they need their approval. Should they find themselves unappreciated, they tend to feel others were taken advantage of them, and become bitter. When you act out of love, no one can take advantage of you; even if they think they’re taking advantage of you. Why? You’re freely giving. That’s what love does: it freely gives!
Romans 13:8-9 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9. For this, “you shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus said, “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you” (John 15:12). Unless you love yourself the way God loves you, you cannot fulfill Romans 13:9. How then, can you take it to the next level and love others as Jesus loved you? We’re not talking about Narcissism here, which is self-centered; rather, we’re talking about God’s pure, true love: AGAPE. Because He loves you, you need to do the same, for His sake.
When you read Psalms 139:13-18, you’ll find that you are precious in the Father’s sight, and it’s on this truth that you should base your worth. You cannot base your worth on someone else who is broken. What does that mean? Simply, those who don’t love, are broken; especially, if they are parents and family members. People can’t give what they don’t have. If they don’t love themselves, they cannot love you.
Their inability to love you is no reflection of your worth! Until they discover the love of God, they will be incapable of love. God is Love, and you are precious in His sight. Would you receive that now? Please, by all means do!
The Perfect Faith Podcast
