Discovering the Depth of God's Love: Who Said "I Love You" First?
Pastor Kyle Veach
Today, we're diving into a topic that's not just about love, but the kind of love that can transform our lives, our relationships, and our perspective on the world. It’s not the kind of love that we speak about when we say, “I love tacos,” and it’s not the kind of love that we can fall into or out of. Check out this week’s message about the love of God by reading on, and don’t forget to check out the full message by clicking the link above.
Love: The Priority That Sets Everything in Order
We've all heard that what we do FIRST can shape the course of our day, our lives, and even our eternity. It's like the opening act of a play; it sets the tone for the rest of the story. When we put God first in our lives, everything falls into place. But when God takes a back seat, chaos tends to rule the day.
It’s a common misconception that we go looking for God, or that we “find” God. However, like any good relationship story, let’s really look into who said "I love you" first?
Trust Issues with God
Before we dive into the heart of the matter, it's crucial to acknowledge that many Christians harbor trust issues when it comes to God. That's right; even believers struggle with trust. It's like that feeling when you look at your neighbor and say, "You have trust issues."
Early in my dating relationship with Kara, we were sitting in the car, eating Burger Master burgers and sharing a fry, when out of the blue, Kara says, “I love you, too.” Now…this would be sweet and totally appropriate if I had just told her that I loved her, but I hadn’t. In response to the vulnerability and love I really did have for her, I responded, “I love YOU, too.” We laugh about this moment because our first “I love you,” happened on accident! Kara thought I had said it first, and I responded with her believed response.
But here's the thing, just like my wife, but unlike our first “I love you” story, God said "I love you" first and he absolutely meant to.
Exegesis: Unpacking the Context
Before we jump into what love truly means, let's take a step back and understand the context of passage of scripture we’re going to be exploring. 1 John is a short letter from John written in the late 1st century AD, a time when early Christian communities faced numerous challenges. These communities consisted of a mix of Jewish and Gentile believers navigating their faith within the Roman Empire.
Now, picture this: the Roman Empire was a melting pot of diverse religious practices, including the worship of various deities. Christianity, with its emphasis on the singular, all-encompassing love of God, would have stood in stark contrast to this polytheistic landscape. And even more different than Roman culture, the God of those who believed in Jesus’s resurrection, was a God who didn’t require sacrificial worship. The Christian God was so different and so revolutionary because this God cared for his people, sacrificed for his people, and loves his people unconditionally.
What Is Love, Really?
As the Beatles crooned, "All we need is love." But love is more than just a four-letter word; it's a concept that encompasses a wide range of feelings and actions.
When we think of love, we often see it as passive. It's something that happens to us, like stumbling upon a hidden treasure. Hollywood has romanticized love to the point where we may believe it's all about intense emotions, like fireworks on the Fourth of July.
But what happens when those emotions fade? What if someone else makes you feel more alive? That's when we face a problem, a serious one.
1 John 4:19 reminds us, "We love because he first loved us." Love isn't just a feeling (noun); it's an action (verb). It's about what we do, not just what we feel.
And if you want to see the ultimate example of love, look no further than Jesus on the cross.
Love = Jesus on the Cross
Love, in its truest form, is Jesus giving His life for the world. It's not a passive emotion but an active sacrifice. When it comes to feeling love, you're in the passenger seat, but when it's about acting in love, you're in control.
Insecure about whether someone loves you? That's not the case with Jesus. He's always there, always loving, no matter what. Even when we have trust issues, His love remains unwavering.
So, how do we love like Jesus? It's not something we can achieve on our own.
Love = The Gift of the Holy Spirit
Loving others can be challenging, especially when people are, well, people. They have feelings, and sometimes they even ask for help moving. That's where the Holy Spirit comes in.
God not only gave us His Son but also the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus, in His final moments with His disciples, left them with a precious gift—peace of mind and heart. It's a gift that the world cannot give, a gift that brings completeness, soundness, and welfare into our lives.
In a world where peace is often associated with the absence of conflict, we should understand that peace is more than that. It's about taking action to restore broken situations, even in the midst of turmoil.
Love = A Home for Eternity
Our beliefs about eternity have a profound impact on how we live today. Understanding that God has prepared an eternal home for us can radically change our perspective on life.
Heaven is the opposite of Earth. It's a place where evil is absent, and God's presence is all-encompassing. Everything we love and enjoy on Earth will find its fulfillment in Heaven.
So, whether you're a Crossfit enthusiast or simply relish the joy of laughter, Heaven has it all, minus the pain, sin, and evil.
Keys to Living in Love
1 John 4:17 reminds us that as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. This perfect love enables us to face the day of judgment with confidence, just as Jesus did while living in this world.
So, what do we believe about eternity? It determines how we live today. Embracing the concept of Heaven as a place of perfect joy, peace, and love can transform our daily lives, helping us live in love as God intended.
Further Reading
If you want to dive deeper into the topic of love and trust, here are a couple of Christian-based resources to check out:
Articles: "The Love of God" - DesiringGod.org
Book: Loveology by John Mark Comer
Book: The Attributes of God by A.W. Tozer
Other Links
Want to hear more? Check out last week's message titled, "Trust Issues," on YouTube by Pastor Kyle Veach
Check out another past message about love titled, “Love: Loveology series” on YouTube by Pastor Kyle Veach
For more resources, including Bible studies and inspirational videos, visit our resources page.
Remember, love is not just a word; it's a life-changing experience. Let's embrace it and start living in love, just as God loved us first.