(by pastor Jean)

“That the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me” (John 17:23; NLT). That is an amazing verse stating that God loves us as much as He loves Jesus (see also John 17:26). Romans chapter 5, verse 5 further states that the love of God has been given to us by the Holy Spirit. God’s love resides in our hearts! John chapter 16, verse 27 explains to us why God loves us and it is because we love and believe in Jesus (see also John 14:21 where Jesus also added that God the Father will not only love us but reveal Himself to us). The fact that God loves us is reiterated in 1 John 4:16 and the apostle John adds that we must really believe this love. It’s one thing to glibly say, “God loves me” but its by reading about and meditating on His love that we really believe it deep down in our hearts. When we do that and truly get a revelation of God’s love for us, we can then say, “God’s love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). Once we have a revelation of God’s great love for us (so great that He sent His Son to die for us) then we are in a position to truly love God and others with His love (John 13:34) and Jesus tells us that if we do that it will be a witness to the world (John 13:35). Meditate on God’s love today and then share it with someone else!