📖 “We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
Before I ever reached for God, He reached for me. Before I ever loved Him, He loved me. Before I prayed, served, led, obeyed, or understood anything about faith, His love was already pursuing me.
This is why I love Jesus.
❤️ He first loved me.
1️⃣ I love Jesus because His love found me before I knew I needed Him.
When He found me a little over thirteen years of age, I was not looking for Him. I did not know I needed Him. Yet His love broke into my life, gave me new understanding, placed new desires in my heart, and turned me around to become someone who loves Him and desires to please Him with all my life.
Philip Yancey captures this truth beautifully when he writes that grace means there is nothing we can do to make God love us more, and nothing to make Him love us less. That statement mirrors my own story. I did not climb toward God. I was found by a God who came toward me. His love was the initiating force. Mine was the response.
I love Jesus because His love did not wait for me. It moved first.
2️⃣ I love Jesus because His love seeks me again and again.
Scripture is a record of God seeking His people. He calls to Adam in the garden. He finds Hagar in the wilderness. He pursues Israel through prophets. In Jesus, He comes Himself to seek and save the lost.
The parable of the prodigal son reflects my story. The father does not sit back waiting. He runs toward the returning child. Love initiates. Love closes the distance. Love restores even before explanations are given.
In my own journey across ministry, leadership, and transitions, I have felt this pursuing love. In seasons of weariness, He drew near. When my prayers felt weak, He strengthened me. When responsibilities stretched me, He sought me with grace. When I drifted, even slightly, He pulled me back gently.
His love keeps coming. His love keeps finding. His love keeps holding.
I love Jesus because He meets me even before I know how to come to Him.
3️⃣ I love Jesus because His love heals wounds I cannot name.
Human love, as precious as it is, cannot fully heal the deep places of the soul. The love of Jesus reaches where no one else can. It heals shame. It quiets fears. It restores identity. It renews purpose.
In some seasons of leadership and ministry, I felt the weight of expectations, the demands of responsibility, and the quiet fatigue that comes when you pour out more than you receive. Yet, repeatedly, His love revived my heart in ways no affirmation or accomplishment ever could.
Henri Nouwen wrote that the deepest human longing is to hear the voice that says, “You are my beloved.” I have heard that voice in Scripture, in prayer, in worship, and in moments of unexpected grace.
I love Jesus because His love heals what life wounds.
4️⃣ I love Jesus because His love enables me to love others well.
John says we love because He first loved us. The order matters. His initiating love becomes the source of every act of compassion, forgiveness, patience, and service.
Whenever I found loving difficult, forgiving costly, or serving demanding, the Spirit always brought me back to the love I have received. The cross remains the clearest picture of this love. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Love moved first.
His love teaches me to lead gently.
His love teaches me to forgive generously.
His love teaches me to serve joyfully.
His love teaches me to see people through His eyes.
I love Jesus because His love transforms how I love others.
5️⃣ I love Jesus because His love is constant, not seasonal.
Human affection rises and falls. Circumstances shift. Relationships change. But the love of Jesus remains steady. Paul says nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Not pressure. Not weariness. Not sorrow. Not failure. Not even death.
Across the years, through changing roles, responsibilities, and seasons of growth, His love has been my one constant. It held me in youth, steadied me in leadership, strengthened me in transitions, and comforted me in hard places. His love is not fragile. It is eternal.
I love Jesus because His love never changes, never weakens, never withdraws.
🎵 My Worship Response
Today I reflect on three songs that express the initiating love of Christ.
• “O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus”
A hymn that describes His love as vast, unmeasured, boundless, and free. It captures both the mystery and the certainty of the love that found me first.
• “Reckless Love” by Israel Houghton
This song celebrates the God who leaves the ninety-nine to find the one. It echoes my testimony that He pursued me long before I knew how to pursue Him.
• “Even Here” by Rebekah Dawn
A tender reminder that even in hidden or difficult places, His love meets me, surrounds me, and lifts me. The One who loved first loves faithfully.
🙏 Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me first. Thank You for seeking me when I was not seeking You, for healing my heart, strengthening my faith, and empowering me to love others. Let Your initiating love shape my life every day.
✨ Reason # 21 Why I Love Jesus
He first loved me, sought me, healed me, restored me, and continues to surround me with unfailing love.
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