I write these words primarily to believers who may be struggling with whether God really loves them. There is also direction and comfort here for those who do not yet know the Lord in the free pardon of sin.
Do you remember playing the daisy game when you were little? You had a crush on someone and would pick a daisy. You would pluck off each petal and as you did would say, “He (or she) loves me; He (or she) loves me not. You would continue plucking off the petals until the last one…..hoping that it was the one that told you He (or she) loved you too.
Some of us play that game as adults....with God - Does God love me, or does he not love me? Does He love me right now?
There can be no doubt that he loved us in the past.
John 3:16
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.
Also, please read the following verses: Romans 8:37; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:4; Ephesians 5:2; Ephesians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; 1 John 3:16; 1 John 4:9–11; 1 John 4:19
Now then, consider this. It seems that all of these verses are recorded as though God’s love was in the past. The term “loved” is used. Go back and read the verses again. Did God love us in the past? Absolutely! Look at the cross and you will see God’s great love! Let me ask you a question. Does that past tense “loved” means that God only loved us in the past? Does He love us now? It may seem like a silly question, but do you know how many people struggle with the thought, “Does God really love me, now?”
Consider the following:
The Bible states in 2 Timothy 4:10 that Demas (Paul’s ministry friend) left Paul. - Since Demas left because he “loved” this world more than he did Paul and the work of God, did he cease to love it after he forsook Paul? The Bible states in Hebrews 1:9 that the Lord “loved” righteousness - Does he no longer love it? God loved us before we were born. He loved us before he died for us....Shall he stop loving us after we are born Or shall he stop loving us after we are born again? OR Shall he stop loving us after he has died for us?
Romans 5:10
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
If God loved us when we were “enemies,” shall He stope loving us when we are “friends?” (See also I John 4:10)
Look at who Jesus “loved.” Jesus loved the rich young ruler - Mark 10:21. Jesus loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus - Please read John 11:5. Does the past tense here mean that he used to love them, but he doesn’t now? It did appear that way. Jesus waited until Lazarus had died before he came....Mary initially refused to come and see Jesus when he finally did come; and Martha Gently rebukes Jesus....and yet he loved them. He also loved His disciples.
John 13:1
Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
He loved them, and soon they were to all become fearful and forsake him. Do you think after “the end” he hated them? NO! He gathered them together as a hen gathereth her chicks under her wing and spoke kind and loving words to them....
But does God love us today.....NOW....or does He not?
Yes, He does love us presently. How do I know this?
Join me next week and we shall see!