Why Does God Love Us?

Look at how great a love the Father has given us, that we should be called God's children. - 1 John 3:1

Why does God love us?

Is it because we are so lovable? Is it because we are obedient examples of His holiness? Is it because we love Him?

The answer to each and every question is a resounding, "No." God loves us, because He is love, because His Son, God incarnate, removed His own divine wrath by dying in our place. God loves us because He indwells us. There is nothing we can do to make Him love us. He just chooses to do so.

Why then, in the presence of such great love, do we find it so difficult to love one another? We struggle with love because of our sinful, selfish attitudes. The mindset that says, "It's all about us, not Him."

Lord, help us die to the need to have it "our way," then we will truly know Your love, within and without.

We must feel toward our people as a father toward his children; yea, the most tender love of a mother must not surpass ours. We must even travail in birth, 'til Christ be formed in them. They should see that we care for no outward thing, neither liberty, nor honor, nor life, in comparison to their salvation. When the people see that you truly love them, they will hear anything from you. Oh therefore, see that you feel a tender love for your people in your hearts, and let them perceive it in your speech and conduct. Let them see that you spend and are spent for their sakes. - Richard Baxter