I Love You Just Because

I Love You Just Because. . .
Jan 18, 2010
Hebrews 13:5 ". . .because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.""


I remember distinctly a conversation I had with my dad when I was 6-years-old. We were taking a brief walk in the evening while discussing something I had seen on television. In the drama portrayed on the screen, a few young men had committed offenses, causing strife in their lives. These young men, so overwhelmed by the consequences of their actions, were alienated from their normal lives, unable to continue healthy relationships with their families or the community. My father wanted to correct my understanding of what I had seen on TV. In the scenes depicted, there was no forgiveness or reconciliation, the young men were never restored; they were never welcomed home. My father wanted me to know the truth. He said to me, "Son, I love you and no matter what you do, no matter how many mistakes you make or how many failures you have, I will NEVER stop loving you and you will ALWAYS be welcome in our home." My father was telling me that he would love me until the very end; he would never forsake me.

Fortunately, I had a good dad who loved me and demonstrated to me what the Heavenly Father's love is like. Because I knew my dad loved me, I never struggled with the idea that God may or may not love me. I never worried that God would leave me. My dad's love for me was not predicated on my actions or if I succeeded in life. He loved me just because, and for no good cause. I always knew that. But for some reason, as I've aged, my love for myself became the new picture of God's love. I misplaced God's love for me based on how much I loved myself due to my successes and failures. If I couldn't love myself, then surely God couldn't love me. If I didn't want me, then surely God would forsake me. But this is not so.

Most of you reading this have experienced negative situations regarding love at some point; either your parents didn't demonstrate that they loved you just because, or you don't love yourself just because. Maybe someone abandoned you; maybe a spouse left you. Any of those things could inhibit you from perceiving the Father's love correctly. You may feel God is not able to love you because your understanding of love is based on a misrepresentation of human actions. God's love is nothing like another person's love. God will never leave you like other people might. The Father's love for you is much like my dad's love for me, when I was a boy. God will NEVER stop loving you and no matter how bad things get in your life, you will ALWAYS be welcome in His home. You cannot escape God's love.

Today, whether you feel lovable or not, please accept these next few words from the Heavenly Father.
You are my son/daughter and I love you just because, and for no other reason. I have loved you before you were born and have enjoyed you so much. I have never stopped loving you and I will NEVER stop loving you. There is nothing you can do that would cause me to stop loving you. You are mine; I would never abandon my own. I have not forsaken you; I never will. I will ALWAYS be here. I want you as part of my life and I would love to continue to be a part of yours. There is nothing I cherish more than you. No matter how bad it gets, you will always be welcome in my home. I love you.

God loves you just because and He will NEVER forsake you.

1. How do you accept God's love, if at all?
2. Are you misunderstanding God's love for you based on human interactions?
3. How can you believe that God will never forsake you?

Add. Scriptures for Study: Deut 31:6-8, Josh 1:5, Ps 9:10, Ps 37:25, Ps 94:14, Zeph 3:17, Rom 8:39, 1 Jn 4:8