OceanSide church of Christ

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DOES GOD REALLY LOVE ME?

Victor M. Eskew

 

            The question that titles this article has been asked thousands of times by all types of people and throughout all periods of history.  Some of these individuals live obscure lives.  Their homes are “off the beaten path.”  What they do on a daily basis is known only to a handful of individuals.  Others are individuals who live in extremely difficult situations.  Sometimes the question is asked by a child in a home full of neglect.  Sometimes it is asked by a person whose poverty makes life both difficult and dangerous.  There have been individuals who have committed heinous crimes who have asked this question while suffering the consequences of prison.  There have been Christians who have asked this question after having been exposed for committing shameful acts.  There have been elderly individuals who were wasting away at the end of their lives who have made this inquiry. 

            The answer to the question is a resounding:  “Yes!”  Yes, God loves you.  We know He loves you because He created you.  As you were developing within the womb of your mother, God was there and was watching and recording all that was happening.  Listen to the psalmist explain God’s involvement in Psalm 139:13-16.  “For thou hast possessed my reins:  thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:  marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.  My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.”  Why would God be so concerned about you at your most feeble point in life if He did not love you?  Why would He watch your development?  Why would He keep a record of all your members?  You are His offspring Paul affirmed to the philosophers on Mars’ hill.  “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your poets have said, For we are his offspring” (Acts 17:28).  You were made in the very image of your Creator (Gen. 1:26-27).  You belong to God.  Thus, He loves you deeply.

            We also know God loves you because He has provided a means whereby you can be saved.  No human being will ever live a life of absolute perfection.  All will sin.  “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).  The divine sentence against sin is death (Ezek. 18:20; Rom. 6:23).  Our lost condition concerned God.  He did not want us to have to suffer eternal condemnation in hell separated from Him.  Thus, He intervened.  John 3:16 reveals that it was God’s love that caused Him to make provisions for our salvation.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  We have difficulty comprehending the love that exists between the Father and Son.  It is a perfect love.  Yet, God was willing to allow Him to pay the penalty for the sins of all men.  “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” (Rom. 5:8-9).  This blessing is found “in Christ.”  “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:  old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17).  God the Father authorized His Son Jesus Christ to die for you so you could live with Him eternally.  That, dear readers, is true love.

            Another way by which we know God loves us is because He is aware of all the details of our lives.  Jesus told His disciples:  “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing:  and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.  But the very hairs of your head are numbered.  Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Matt. 10:29-31).  God sees the tiniest sparrow.  If it tumbles to the ground from its nest or while in flight, God is aware of its plight.  You “are of more value than many sparrows.”  God knows when you are lonely.  God knows when you are rejected.  God knows when you are mistreated.  God knows when you are hurting.  God knows when you are sick.  God knows when you are depressed.  God knows when you are frustrated.  God knows when you are angry.  God knows when you are burdened. God knows when you are grieving.  God knows when you are disappointed.  God knows when you are having doubts.  God knows when you feel insufficient.  God knows when you feel far from Him.  God knows when you think no one cares. 

            When Hagar was treated harshly by Sarai, God was aware of her situation.  “And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur” (Gen. 16:7).  When Elijah fled from the presence of the evil Jezebel, God found him and spoke to him in a cave.  “And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord, came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:9).  The heavenly Father was aware of the temptations through which Jesus passed.  After the temptations, He sent angels to minister to Him.  “Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him” (Matt. 4:11).  These examples and others prove that God is aware of our struggles and hardships.  He loves us and is constantly watching on our behalf.

            If we were to ask a host of people:  “Does God love you?”  Some people would respond:  “I hope so,” or, “I think so.”  Others might reply:  “I am not really sure.”  Sadly, some would even say:  “No, God doesn’t love me.”  These replies should not come from the lips of any human being.  The correct reply is:  “Yes, God loves me.”  I am His precious creation.  He sent His holy Son to save me.  And, He is aware of all aspects of my life.  Dear reader, do not ever doubt God.  Do not ever flee from Him.  He loves you.  Draw nigh unto Him, and He will draw nigh unto you (Jms. 4:8).