Grow With Pastor Joe

Devotions for The Head, the Heart, and the Home

1 John 3:1

Read: One of the earliest lessons that we teach our young children and new believers is that God loves them. Think of the children’s songs that become so familiar to us at an early age such as, “Jesus Loves Me,” “Jesus Loves the Little Children,” or even John 3:16 that we teach children or new converts to memorize. For some reason, when we are younger in our faith we emphasize the love of God but somewhere along the way we forget to continuously look to His love for us. When we stop looking to His love then we tend to struggle living in light of His love for us. Each day we need to be reminded of His love. John writes a great deal about the love of God and how God’s love for the believer is to secure our hearts with constant comfort. What do we see when we look to His love? (1) We see the measure of His love. Because God is love (1 John 4:8) and God is measureless in His attributes, we can rest in His infinite love for us. God has never wavered in His love for me. (2) We see the manner of His love. God’s love is seen most clearly in the rich blessings found in Christ. It is Christ that demonstrates the measure and manner of God’s love in the gospel. Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and continued ministry as Prophet, Priest, and King for each believer reveals the eternal love of God. It has been bestowed upon us in Christ. He doesn’t just say He loves us, but rather He shows it. (3) We see the motivation of His love. God’s love is His motivation to save, secure, and sustain those who trust in Him. It is also His love that becomes the motivation for the believer to love God and through love, trust and obey Him. When we look to His love we see the relationship and responsibility that we now have as His children.

Reflect:  Read 1 John 3-4. Write down or discuss each verse that talks about God’s love and what that means for the believer’s life. 

Rest: Rest your head, heart and home in the measure, manner, and motivation of His love for us.

Respond: Look to the love of God each day and let it be the motivation of your life. Ask yourself if your life being lived in light of His love.