We Know And Believe

“And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.”

1 John 4:16 (NKJ)

“We have known and believed the love that God has for us.” Knowing is one thing; believing goes deeper.

I grew up in church singing “Jesus love me, this I know” more times than I could count. If someone had asked me if God loved me, my answer would have been a firm “Yes” without even thinking about it.

I knew God loved me. He loved everyone. But did I truly believe He loved me in the depth of my soul? I would have to go through my list before I could be certain. Had I read my Bible and prayed that week? Had I been a very good girl? Did I have a warm, gooey feeling deep down inside?

Another factor in determining my belief of His love for me was how good He seemed to have been to me. I had been told no matter what was happening in my life, good or bad, it was God’s plan. I have since learned this is not true. Things happen in our lives for various reasons, but we can be certain if it’s good, it’s from God. If it’s bad, it comes from the devil.

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

John 10:10 (NLT)

“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”

James 1:17 (NLT)

“God is love.” Not, God has love, or God is loving, but God is love. Love is Who He is and He has no plans of ever changing. There’s not a mean bone in His body. Never has been, never will be.

“But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

1 John 4:8 (NLT)

God’s love doesn’t hinge upon our feelings, how good we’ve been, or if life is going great. As we spend time with God in His Word and in prayer, we will not only come to know, but also believe His love for us.