Do You Have Love Backwards?

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (ESV)

I remember growing up singing worship songs in church about loving God and agonizing over how insufficient my love for God felt. I remember wondering what I could do to love Him more. I thought, “Maybe I need to sacrifice more. Or tithe more.” I wanted to increase my love for God, but I didn’t know how.

Today’s verse provides the beautiful answer. The secret is not found in us trying to love God more. After all, we didn’t love God first. He loved us first. So, the more we focus on how much He loves us instead of the other way around, the more our love for Him flows back naturally.

Look at babies—they do nothing to earn our love. They mess their diapers, cry at all hours and create lots of work. Yet as parents, we love our kids like crazy. As our heavenly parent, God is the same way. He loves us without requiring us to do a single thing to earn it.

God isn’t shy about showing that He loves us either. His love was on full display when His Son died on a cross for us. God’s love conquered the curse of sin on our behalf. His love broke out of the grave to victory so that each of us could have the opportunity to experience an intimate relationship with Him.

If you struggle with feeling loved by God or with your love for Him, begin to meditate on all the ways He’s shown how He loved you first. Even when you feel broken, unlovable or unloving, knowing that He loves you just as you are will change your world!