Today’s Bible Verse
You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32 (CSB)
From the Heart
For way too many years, I lived with a totally distorted view of God’s love. I grew up believing that if I performed well, I received love. If I didn’t? Well, love was withheld. This mindset carried over into my relationship with God.
I viewed God as a stern overseer, always ready to scold me when I faltered. My anxiety was relentless, and the worry never seemed to fade. This way of thinking stopped me from relying on God, creating a significant barrier in our relationship that impacted my faith and my willingness to seek Him.
Freedom From Fear
The Bible tells us that “perfect love casts out fear” and “anyone who fears has not been made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).
But what does that really mean in our daily lives? So many of us struggle with this concept because we’ve been taught or have experienced, love that is conditional and based on our performance.
The truth is, God’s love for us was settled at the cross, not by our daily performance. Jesus didn’t die for the “cleaned up” version of you—He died for you exactly as you are. This is the fundamental difference between the world’s conditional love and God’s unconditional love: While the world says “I’ll love you IF…”, God says “I love you DESPITE…”
We see God’s demonstration of His love clearly in the story of the woman caught in adultery.
When she was dragged before Jesus by her accusers, He was kind loving to her even in the midst of her sin and shame. He did not wait for her life to get better, before extending His grace and forgiveness.
This cycle never changes. Once we are saved, God still extends his grace, love, and forgiveness even in the times where we don’t deserve it.
Like the woman caught in adultery, many of us have experienced shame. She had accusers who dragged her out and exposed her. Some of us have had moments somewhat like that, and some of us feel exposed every time we look in the mirror.
Regardless of where our shame is coming from or where the voices of our accusers come from, we can experience true peace and silence from all of those voices. When we let the truth of God’s love shine in our hearts.
Receiving God’s Love
Today, whenever you catch yourself thinking you need to earn God’s approval, stop and say aloud: “God loves me unconditionally, not because of what I do but because of who He is.” Practice replacing performance-based thoughts with truth statements about God’s character.
Encouragement
Rest in the truth of God’s unconditional love. You don’t have to earn it. You don’t have to perform for it. It’s already yours, freely given through Christ. Let this truth wash over you and transform how you approach God today.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for your perfect love that casts out all fear. Help us to truly understand and accept the depth of your love for us. Release us from the lies that tell us we must earn your love through our performance. Fill us with the confidence that comes from knowing we are unconditionally loved. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Journal Prompts
- In what areas of your life do you find yourself trying to earn God’s love through performance? How might your relationship with God change if you truly believed His love was unconditional?
- Reflect on a time when you felt God’s love despite your
Additional Bible Verses About God’s Love
1. Romans 5:8
2. Ephesians 2:8-9
3. 1 John 4:18
4. Titus 3:4-5
5. Romans 8:38-39
6. 2 Corinthians 12:9
7. 1 John 3:1
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