God loves us first, while we were sinners.

 Amen. This is the most profound and foundational truth of the Gospel: God loves us first, even while we were sinners. This truth dismantles any notion that we must earn God's love or clean ourselves up before we can come to Him. His love is the initiator, the motivator, and the foundation of our salvation.

This glorious truth is declared in the New Testament:

"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8 (ESV)

"We love because he first loved us." - 1 John 4:19 (ESV)

What Does This Mean?

· His Love is Unconditional: God's love for us is not based on our performance, our goodness, or our potential. It is based solely on His character, which is love itself (1 John 4:8).

· His Love is Initiating: We did not seek Him; He sought us. We did not love Him; He first loved us. Our love for God is always a response to His prior love for us.

· His Love is Sacrificial: He proved His love not just with words, but with the ultimate action: sending His Son to die for us in our place, while we were still actively rebelling against Him.

A Prayer of Response to His First Love

Heavenly Father,

I am utterly humbled and overwhelmed when I consider that You loved me first. You didn't wait for me to get my life together. You didn't wait for me to seek You. You loved me at my worst—while I was still a sinner, separated from You and content in my own ways.

Thank you for this love that I cannot earn and do not deserve. Thank you for demonstrating it in the most powerful way possible: through the death of Your Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross for me.

I receive this love today. I bask in it. Let the reality of Your initiating, unconditional love shatter any lie that I am unlovable or that I must perform for You. Help me to love others with the same selfless, initiating love that You have shown me.

In the name of Jesus, who is the proof of Your love, Amen.

A Poem: "He First Loved Us"

"He First Loved Us"

I did not dream of seeking grace, I did not long to see His face. My heart was turned,my eyes were dim, I was not looking after Him.

But in the darkness of my night, A sudden and amazing light. It was not me who turned to see, But He was there,pursuing me.

He did not wait till I was clean, He came into my hopeless scene. He did not ask if I was worthy first, He loved me at my very worst.

While I was sinner, lost and vile, He looked upon me with a smile. Not of judgment,not of wrath, But love that chose my broken path.

He left the glory of His throne, For hearts of sin,of wood and stone. He died for us while we were yet, A people who would Him forget.

We love, because He first loved us, This is the glorious,wondrous plus. That sets our faith apart,alone, A seed of love that He had sown.

So let this truth forever be, The anthem of our liberty. Not that we first our God did know, But that He first loved us so.

Rejoice in this today. Your relationship with God does not begin with your effort, but with His love. You are fully known and fully loved. Rest in that security.