I just made a shocking discovery. Jesus loves me. This may not be news to you, but it was to me. You see, I was re-reading a homework assignment where I had quoted Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” As I was reading, the words, “who loved me” were like an arrow shot straight into my heart. God will out-shoot Cupid. Every. Time.
Let me explain. I memorized this verse when I was like seven. I earned that candy bar! I quote it all the time. However, I focus on my need to die. You know, to lay it all down for Christ. I’ve somehow managed to make the verse about my sacrifice, my need to live by faith. But as I read it today, I saw that Paul’s ability to “die daily” was because he was secure in Christ’s love for him. Paul not only knew in his mind that Christ loved him but also deep within his spirit. Paul understood that Jesus Christ loved him so much that Jesus chose to be beaten, tortured, and crucified to prove that love.
Jesus loves me! I don’t have to pluck all the petals off of the daisy anymore! He loves me! He gave His life for me! It is this sacrificial love from Jesus Christ that enables us to live by faith. It’s His love that enables us to put to death the wrong choices we have been making. It’s His love that crucifies our sin nature. It’s His love that removes the fear of man from our hearts and enables us to seek only His approval.
Maybe you know Jesus loves you. Maybe you don’t. Maybe you think you know, but your heart cries out for an experience, a tangible manifestation of the love of God in such a way that you cannot deny it. If something within you just agreed with the previous sentence then pray with me believing that God will hear AND answer.
“Jesus, thank You that You love me. Thank You that You gave Your life for me. God, drop a love bomb on me. Do something so awesome in my life that I would not believe even if You told me. God, heal the broken places within my heart, so that I can fully receive Your love for me. God, open up the windows of heaven and pour Your love out upon me in a such a way that I cannot deny it was You. God, I’ll give You all the glory. I don’t want to just know You with my mind, but I want to experience You. I desire an encounter with You, with the supernatural. God, interrupt my natural with Your SUPER! I give You my mustard seed, move my mountain. In Jesus name. Amen. Let it be.”