We love him, because he first loved us. — 1 John 4:19

Love is a word that is constantly thrown around in our society. I remember when I was younger, I thought I knew what love was. Love was seeing an attractive girl and the butterfly feeling I had when perhaps she saw me as well. Unfortunately, so many people tie their thoughts of love to this feeling as opposed to actual true love.

As we grow older, we learn more about love. I knew that I loved my wife when we were married. I knew that I loved my son when we adopted him from China. But every day that passes, I’ve learned that my love grows stronger for them both. Sure, I have feelings of that love toward them, but it’s more than a simple feeling of love. I love them because I know without a doubt that God has placed them into my life.

So many people want to say that they “fall out of love” or “no longer love” someone. Many of them will reason in their minds to explain their statement. The truth is, if you truly love something, you will do anything and everything you can to grow closer to it. It isn’t a situation that we simply sit and wait on them to show their love. Love is active, an action that we perform everyday.

In our verse today, we are reminded that God first loved us. He sent His only son to die for our sins. That was not a simple feeling, or an emotion. It was an action. He loved us, and proved it through His actions. He continues to prove it each day trough His desire to draw closer to us, His continual forgiveness, and more.

The real question is are we in love with Him? Each day, our actions should show our love for God. We should try to be closer to Him and learn more about Him. We should want to live for Him, in His likeness according to His design and plan. Are you in love with God today?

Jared Dyson