O the deep, deep love of Jesus, ’tis a heaven of heavens to me;
And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!
As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love (Jn. 15:9).
Love: Spoken, Demonstrated, and Communicated
The Father’s love for Jesus is spoken, demonstrated, and communicated. At Jesus’ baptism, the Father spoke, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Immediately after Jesus was baptized, the Spirit led Him to be tempted by Satan (Mk. 1:11-13). The Father initiates, the Son cooperates. The Father demonstrates His love for Jesus by refining His faith in the wilderness. What Jesus sees His Father do, He does (Jn. 5:19-21). Often, Jesus withdraws to lonely places and prays, communicating, unhindered with His Father (Lk. 5:16). Jesus’ love for His children is spoken, demonstrated, and communicated. Jesus tells believers to love one another, “as I have loved you” (Jn. 13:34). He demonstrates His love when He becomes the Sacrificial Lamb of God so believers may have eternal life in Him. He communicates His love by giving the Holy Spirit to guide, convict, and teach His children about Himself.
We speak to God through prayer and praise. We speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in our heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 5:19-20). The Father demonstrated His love for us by giving His Only Son. By faith we believe; by action we prove our belief. We deny ourselves and take up our cross daily and follow Him (Lk. 9:23). We delight in spending time in His presence, in prayer, in devotion to the Word of God. Our soul thirsts for God. When we abide in the love of Jesus, we are in fellowship with the Him (I Jn. 4:16, 20). We take up a sacrificial, compassionate interest in others, even—especially—the sinner.
Love is God’s nature. He imparts that nature to you. His love, immeasurable compassion, revealed in His works and His ways, displayed in everything He does. He suffers with you in your affliction, He carries you in your suffering. Your interests are His interests (Is. 63:9). The love of God; understood in the spirit, demonstrated in obedience, recognized by your actions. What can you do today to demonstrate your love for God? Are you actively manifesting your interest and affection toward others in acts of loving care and self-sacrifice? Can you say, “O the deep, deep love of Jesus, ’tis a heaven of heavens to me; and it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!
Taking Note of Times God Demonstrates His Love to You Personally
Our son likes to say, “They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” I have read in God’s Word that He loves me, He has communicated His love for me through His creation, but this head knowledge didn’t become heart knowledge until He walked beside me, demonstrating His love for me, when my Daddy died. Even though I was mad at God, sometimes not even speaking to Him, He did bring peace to my soul when I surrendered to Him.
Your Turn: Do you know, really know God’s love for you individually? You’ve read it, heard it preached, but when has He given you peace in a storm? Hope in the darkness? It’s critical to your Christian walk to know, without a doubt, that God loves you just the way you are, even if you are angry with Him. He is love and love is patient; it bears all things—even your anger with Him. Today’s challenge is to find a jar or a little box and a few slips of paper. Write down one way that God demonstrated His love for you during a difficult time. Place it in your jar or box. Keep the jar and slips of paper nearby so you can continue to record the times you are aware of God demonstrating His love for you. Then, when you are feeling discouraged, sit down with your jar of hope and a cup of tea and be encouraged.