Today : Unconditional Love
TODAY’S VERSE
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love” John 15:9 (NIV)
TODAY’S THOUGHT
I have had Christians chide me for my passion over the unconditional love of God. What about the Holiness of God, the part of God that hates sin? And yes, I understand that God is Holy and that He doesn’t have to love us at all – but He does. He chooses to. He sees my sin and then He sees the sacrifice of His son. Jesus Himself said it, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.” How much does the Holy Father love His only begotten? Can we fathom it? And Jesus makes only one request. That we understand it? That we rationalize it? That we argue over it? No, He asks us to remain in His love. Like myself, Brennan Manning taught for years about the love of God without personally understanding its depths. Manning speaks of his own awakening in his book, Abba’s Child. He writes, “Unwittingly I had projected onto God my feelings about myself. I felt safe with Him only when I saw myself as noble, generous, and loving, without scars, fears, or tears. Perfect! But on that day in Colorado I came out of hiding. Jesus removed the shroud of perfectionist performance and now, forgiven and free, I ran home. For I knew someone was there for me. — I finally felt all the words I have written and spoken about stubborn, unrelenting love. That morning I understood that the words are but straw compared to the reality. I leaped from simply being the teacher of God’s love to becoming Abba’s delight.” Today, you too can leap from reading to reality. Quit trying to earn His love and accept the unconditional love He has for you.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, dear Father. How long have I felt unworthy of your affection? How long have I strived trying to win Your approval? But today I quit. Today I quit trying to earn Your love. Today I surrender. I surrender to Your word and accept the love that You freely have for me. Thank you Father for Your unconditional love.
AMEN
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION & MEDITATION
I am loved by God unconditionally
It is hard to shut off all the negative thinking in our head. It is hard to accept the love that God freely offers. Today focus on His love for you. Feel it surrounding you and covering you. Sense His supernatural devotion focused on you. Experience the feeling that you are thought of and help deeply in God’s own heart. Affirm that you are loved unconditionally by God.