Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Does God Really Love Me?

How many times have you said to yourself that God doesn't love me? How many times have you seen the violence and death that goes on in this world everyday and said, ‘if God really loves the world why does He allow all these things to happen? And how many times have you said, ‘I've done to much wrong in my life, God can't love me?

In this bible study we will take a look at how much God does love each and every one of us, and He sent His only Son into the world to show us exactly how much He loves us. And how He reconciled us through the death of His Son so that we could have a relationship with Him that will lead us from this life on earth, to eternal life with Him in His Kingdom.

1st John 4:9-10 (KJV)

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Verse 9: This scripture means that God made His love clear and evident to us by sending Jesus Christ into this dark world that we might live through Him, not by ourselves or through our own efforts, knowledge, power, or works, but through Jesus.

Question: Have you been trying to live life your way and not God's?

Thought: We often hear about many parents who try to live their lives and their dreams through their children, the outcome of this living can bring many hardships to the parent and the child. Think about how God wants you to live your life through His Son and what the outcome of this lifestyle will bring.

Verse 10: This scripture tells us what kind of love God has for His creation, we did not love Him first, but He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Propitiation means - atonement. Atonement means - satisfaction or reparation for a wrong or injury; amends. Jesus willingly sacrificed His perfect sinless body on the cross as an unblemished and spotless lamb, paying the penalty for our sins so that we could be reconciled (restored, to set at one again) to God.

Paul wrote that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. And we are in need of salvation and deliverance from sin, the bondage of Satan, and our fallen state. We can only experience reconciliation with God IF we believe (trust) in the testimony that God gave to us about Jesus Christ, repent (change your mind, think differently) confess your sins, and obey the command of Jesus to be born of water and Spirit. When we accept the free gift of salvation that God offers to each one of us, we will be willing to 'do' what Jesus says we need to do in order to have our soul's brought into a saving relationship or covenant with God.

Question: How has God shown you He loves you?

Thought: We can see an example of this kind of love in the life of Abraham who obeyed God's voice and was willing to sacrifice his only son that God Himself promised He would give him. Think about how great a sacrifice this was for God, and how hard it would be for us to sacrifice one of our own children.

Romans 5:7-8 (KJV)

For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure (perhaps) for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth (presents) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Verse 7: This scripture is saying that it's very rare for someone to sacrifice their life for a righteous man, and how hard it would be for us to die for a good man, a stranger, a family member or someone that we love.

Verse 8: But God presents His love to us through Christ, who died for the sins of the whole world. Even though we were still in our sins, unclean, and ungodly, God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us inspite of our sins.

Question: Are you willing to lay down your life for your fellow man?

Thought: We can see an example of physical sacrifice in soldiers who go to war and die for the freedom of their country or a cause that they believe in. But God sent His Son and Jesus willingly died for all of us, so that we could have spiritual freedom and everlasting life with Him in heaven. Think about How much greater the sacrifice of Jesus that bought our souls with His death and the shedding of His blood that cleanses all our sins.

Revelation 1:4-6 (KJV)

John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Verse 5: Jesus is the first born who was raised from the dead and glorified by God, those who have died in Christ and those who believe in His name today, enduring until the end will also be raised and glorified. The Lord shows us His love by washing away our sins in His blood when we accept the free gift of salvation.

Question: Do you believe God loves you? Why or why not?

Thought: God has shown the world how much He loves each and every soul that is born into this world because He sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins so that we may live on this earth in His peace, His love, and His salvation. The greatest gift and love that we could ever receive is the salvation of our soul and the eternal joy that awaits those who believe in Jesus Christ. God is love, and He doesn't wish that any should perish without knowing Him or His truth, but we all have free will, and He does not force anyone to accept His free gift, it's a choice each person must make on their own.

God Bless You,
Tyrone D. Palmer, servant and apostle of Jesus

1 comment:

  1. Thanks, brother Tyrone. Though I have heard this before, I really enjoyed reading this post. I can feel our Lord's love in the words. Please keep up this work. Sincerely, MFM

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