Joel Osteen (August-13-2024) Daily Devotion: This is Real Love.
Today’s Scripture - “...This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins...” 1 John 4:10, NLT
“Real love” is not our love for God, it’s God’s love for us. When we try to perform to gain His love, the problem is that we can never measure up. There will always be something we can’t do right, some reason we can’t feel good about ourselves. Why don’t you take the pressure off and receive real love, God’s love for you?
That’s what the lady who was caught in the act of adultery had to do in John 8. When her religious accusers walked away, failing to condemn her, Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” He didn’t say, “Go and change your ways, quit giving in to the temptation, and then I’ll love you, then I’ll be for you.” Just the opposite. He first said, “I don’t condemn you.” Before He talked about her behavior, before he addressed the issues, Jesus made sure she knew she was the one whom He loved.
A Prayer for Today - “Father, thank You that Your love is the real love that I need to change my life. Thank You that You sent Jesus as a sacrifice to take away my sins that I might receive Your love as a gift. I receive it now, and I believe I am the one whom You love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
