This is Real Love
As Christmas approaches, it’s easy to get caught up in the festivities, the decorations, and the hustle and bustle of the season. But the true heart of Christmas lies in the greatest gift ever given: the love of God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
In 1 John 4:9-10, we read, “God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. 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.”
This passage encapsulates the depth and magnitude of God’s love—a love so profound that it sent Jesus to earth to meet our greatest need.
Jesus came into the world in the humblest of circumstances. Born in a stable and laid in a manger, He chose the lowliest of beginnings to identify with humanity. This wasn’t by accident. God’s love is sacrificial and unconditional, a reflection of His very nature. As 1 John 4:8 declares, “God is love.” His essence is love, and His actions flow from that divine attribute.
This Christmas, let us take a moment to pause and reflect on the magnitude of this gift. Jesus, fully God and fully man, came to save us from the eternal consequences of sin. His birth marked the begin ning of a creation-shaking journey—one that would lead to the cross, where He bore the penalty for our sins, and to the resurrection, where He conquered death on our behalf.
In the midst of holiday stress and busyness, remember that Christmas is about love in action. It’s about a Savior who stepped into our brokenness to offer us eternal life. Just as a gift must be received to be appreciated, this love is offered freely to each of us, but we must choose to accept it.
May the wonder of God’s love fill your heart this season and remind you of the immeasurable value of the gift we celebrate: Emmanuel—God with us.
Watch, listen to, or read the full message "This is Real Love."
In 1 John 4:9-10, we read, “God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. 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.”
This passage encapsulates the depth and magnitude of God’s love—a love so profound that it sent Jesus to earth to meet our greatest need.
Jesus came into the world in the humblest of circumstances. Born in a stable and laid in a manger, He chose the lowliest of beginnings to identify with humanity. This wasn’t by accident. God’s love is sacrificial and unconditional, a reflection of His very nature. As 1 John 4:8 declares, “God is love.” His essence is love, and His actions flow from that divine attribute.
This Christmas, let us take a moment to pause and reflect on the magnitude of this gift. Jesus, fully God and fully man, came to save us from the eternal consequences of sin. His birth marked the begin ning of a creation-shaking journey—one that would lead to the cross, where He bore the penalty for our sins, and to the resurrection, where He conquered death on our behalf.
In the midst of holiday stress and busyness, remember that Christmas is about love in action. It’s about a Savior who stepped into our brokenness to offer us eternal life. Just as a gift must be received to be appreciated, this love is offered freely to each of us, but we must choose to accept it.
May the wonder of God’s love fill your heart this season and remind you of the immeasurable value of the gift we celebrate: Emmanuel—God with us.
Watch, listen to, or read the full message "This is Real Love."
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