God’s Love – Romans 5:5

…the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 

Deeper, wider, higher, and broader than any other love, such is God’s love for His beloved.  This love is beyond our comprehension, for it is unconditional, infinite, eternal, and incorruptible.  It flows from the throne room of the Holy of Holies, washing over us like a river, cleansing us, transforming us, and restoring us.  It upholds us, championing our cause, refusing to condemn us though we are deserving of condemnation.  Graciously, mercifully, tenderly, it embraces us, encompassing us, giving us joy.

This love comes to us in the person of Jesus Christ, Immanuel, God with us.[1]  While we were yet hostile toward God, Jesus came to pour out His life for us because of His inexplicable, imperishable love for us.  This love is trustworthy, faithful, and true, extending to the heavens and reaching to the skies.[2]  Though everyone else may leave us, and though all else fail us, this love will never abandon nor disappoint us.[3]  This love shines upon us, warming us like the sun; it lights our path, guiding us in the way of peace.[4]

Great and sufficient is God’s love for us, and while our love for others is small and inadequate by comparison, we are not left with so deficient a love, for our capacity to love grows as we open our hearts to receive more of Jesus Christ.  As we step onto the shore of the river of life and drink from His waters each day, His love delivers us from a mediocrity of love, a pettiness of love, from a love that gives little and asks much.  He exchanges our self-centered love for His selfless love, a love that gives everything and asks nothing.  He teaches us to love others in truth, to love not with a blind love, but with a love that sees clearly, and yet a love that sight does not diminish, a love that loves every day, in every way.[5] 

Desire a richer awareness of God’s love.  Pray for eyes to see and a heart to receive His love, so that you may know it and allow it to teach you how to love in return.  Abide in His love, rejoice in His love, and praise Him for the love He pours out from everlasting to everlasting on those who honor and revere Him.[6]

A River runs from heaven’s throne
Within its flow, pure love is shown
Mercy and grace provide its force
And Jesus’ sacrifice its source

I stood alone upon its shore
And knew in it I could secure
A hope I’d only dreamed about
A love I’d wanted, but shut out

I felt the heaven’s sudden hush
And stepped into the water’s rush
The angels sang when I walked in
As Jesus washed away my sin

The River cleansed, transformed me
It cut my chains; it set me free
It healed my brokenness, though great
And lifted me to God’s estate

This River’s love runs pure and deep
It brings a joy that makes me weep
To have received a love so grand
By taking Jesus’ outstretched hand

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[1] Matthew 1:23

[2] Psalm 36:5, Psalm 89:2

[3] Psalm 136:1

[4] Luke 1:78-79

[5] Philippians 1:8-11

[6] Psalm 103:17