Why do you love me?
This is a question that many of us ask whether directly or indirectly, whether to those around us or to our God. Some may answer with qualities that we have or things we do such as "I love you because you're nice to me," or "I love you because you give me gifts," or "because you make me feel special." Is that really why we love people or why we are loved? The answer like the answer to many questions is yes and no. Sure, one reason to love people is because of what they've done or how they make us feel, but is that the whole of it? We are commanded by our creator to love one another. [What that means is a whole different journal/blog worth or this would get too long to read.] How can we fulfill that command if we base our love on other's actions? The answer: we can't. Our love must be unconditional, not conditional...modeled after God's unconditional love for us- agape love. God doesn't love us for anything we've done because we can't do anything apart from Him to please Him, why should He love us BECAUSE of what we do. If God's love were based on our actions, would He even have reason to love us? Probably not much. So, why does God love us?
The most simple answer I can give you to that question is: God loves us because He created us!!! A friend of mine put it somewhat like this: Have you ever worked really hard on something and worked on every detail of it until it was complete..your masterpiece? Didn't you love what you had made...not because of anything it had done, but simply because it was your creation? God is proud of His creation. Now, given we can't entirely relate to how God feels about us when we make something because He created LIFE..and we can't do that..but this illustration is meant to give you a glimpse of why God loves us so much.
Look at these verses: Genesis 1:26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 2:7the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
God created us IN HIS IMAGE! We are made in His image to glorify Him. We are given the choice to be able to love Him and bring Him glory by doing His will. Why did He create us? -To get the full answer of that one you will need to talk to the Creator himself..but I will tell you He did create us each with a purpose and a plan..and a major part of that purpose in whatever we do is to bring glory and honor to Him. In fact, this verse states it perfectly: Ephesians 2:10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. I encourage you to read this whole passage as it talks about God's love and grace among other amazing truths (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%202;&version=31; ). "We are God's workmanship...." I don't know about you, but thinking about that makes me feel a sort of peace.. The NLT (New Living Translation) version states it like this"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."
We weren't randomly placed on this world to wander aimlessly, but He created us with a purpose. He PLANNED us. Jeremiah 29:11 reads "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." God told Jeremiah in Jer 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
The bottom line....God loves each and every one of us and wants the best for us. He has a plan for each one of us that will glorify Him. We all have a purpose given to us by God. You are important to God. He created you and He loves you, and He wants a relationship with you. God created man and put us over all the other creatures of the earth; He created us in His image that we might be like him. We are His MASTERPIECE, His workmanship. We may not be worthy on our own, but He loves us because He made us special.
What about those of us who feel unlovable...even by God?
Right now I just want to tell you that God really does love you! Just look at what the Bible says. Hey, He even gave His Son to die because He loved you so much!!! My plan though is to cover this question in another journal/blog, so be on the lookout for it...and feel free to ask me about it if it seems like a long wait and you're anxious to read what it says. :)
If someone asked you the question "Why do you love me?" what would you say to them? Really?
**All scripture is taken from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.
I just felt compelled to write this. . about a month ago. I posted it on myspace and thought i might as well post it on here too... It's about the spiritual battle we all go through in one way or another...
I live in this body, stained crimson with sin.
Spiritual forces battle for my soul within.
The devil devours decieves me and lies,
Tempting me to do the things that I despise.
He taunts and teases me- I play his game.
Then I feel guilty like im drowning in shame.
I need an escape from these chains binding me.
From this cycle of death, I want to be set free!
I cry out to Jesus to help me win this fight.
I am utterly blind- but He restores my sight.
He says "my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Then he battles beside me all day and all night.
We battle not physical, but spiritual rule.
To turn from my Savior, I'd be a fool.
But Satan returns holding out worldly pleasures.
I fail to resist and forget my true treasures.
Satan condemns me- I'm guilty of sin.
Jesus defends me- cleanses me through Him.
I am not worthy of this love and grace,
But God shapes me and molds me as i look upon His face.
