Perfect Love

Do you ever feel discouraged because there is no one who lives up to the image of love that you are looking for? It may seem that anytime you start to feel confident in someone’s love for you, something usually ends up going wrong. So, instead of letting that family member, potential relationship, or new friend in, you hopelessly wait for that perfect movie or book type of character. One that will pay attention to you and fight hard to sweep you off your feet, or will just make a point to stay to know and love you.

Actually, there is a Perfect Love out there. There is One who makes a point to stay and love you no matter what happens. There is One that casts out all fear of another experience of a love that leads to your trust being broken or the experience of one leaving. You see, there is only one Perfect Love that died to be with you forever, displaying His immense love for you. There is only One real and perfect love that is better than any character in any movie you watch or book your read. His name is Jesus and He is the Son of the Living God, Savior of the world, Friend to all, and Lover of our souls!

Jesus knows every wrong thought or action that you have ever done, and yet He still gave Himself up for YOU! In 1 John 4:9 the author John says it this way, “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.” Through Jesus’ innocent life, death, and resurrection He defeated all that was meant to keep you from Him (sin, death, and the devil)! Jesus took on God’s wrath so that all you could experience is God’s love, forgiveness, grace, mercy and so much more towards you!

Jesus is the only one we can consistently cling to in a world where we learn very quickly that people, places, and material things will fail us in more ways than one.

But what we get to learn from experiencing those downfalls is the fact that, even though people will fail or disappoint us, we have God who is unchanging and perfect! First John 4:18 explains that “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” You have to surrender to God’s love in order to be perfected in it! It is such a huge comfort to trust that no matter what occurs in this life, God and His love can get you through! One thing we need to begin to understand is that there is a spiritual side to everything, therefore, the spiritual effects the physical. How can we know this? Well, the perfect love that Jesus has for us led Him to triumph over not only what we see/experience in the physical, but also the unseen and intangible side that is behind sin, death and the devil. Once you come to know and believe all that Jesus did, you will begin to find security in His perfect love for you! As a result, we get to witness the positive effects of what He has done when we go through times of trouble, disappointment, or fear as we get to go to Him and are equipped with His love, strength, joy, peace, grace, comfort and more!

Jesus’ love is like armor for you as you live knowing that He protects your heart and mind.

When reading Psalm 5:11-12 we get to be encouraged as it is written, “But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.” I like the The New Living Translation (NLT) of verse 12 as it says, “For you bless the godly, O LORD; you surround them with your shield of love.”

What encouraging verses right! We get insight into the fact that we get to take refuge in, and rejoice in, joy as our God protects, blesses, and covers us with favor. His shield that surrounds us is all because of His love for us!! These verses reveal that as God helps us through this life’s circumstances and the emotions that come with, we get to learn to walk in the confidence of God’s love and protection that surrounds us each day! When fear or disappointment start to creep in, it may be a call for you to return to focusing on God and His love towards you! On the other hand, when God brings people into your life that you enjoy having around and want to give a chance to, remember that you are called to identify with God’s love first and then to extend His love to others. First John 4:10-12 explains, “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” Whether a person you know is difficult to love, or you feel like you are difficult to love, remember that you are called to love yourself and others with the love that God provides! His love casts out all doubt and fear! Learning about God’s love for you and others, and practicing to identify with it, is a continual process. However, as you start to focus on God’s love, you won't be so affected by the world’s way of love. Perfect love does not come from the worldly ways of porn, hook-ups, fear, or confusion. The love of God will change your perspective, helping you to love who He has made you to be, along with others in your life, in a whole new way! First Corinthians chapter 13 is known as the chapter of love and is recited at many weddings. Yet the content is not just reserved for such a time. You see, God is love, therefore, we can replace every mention of love with His name! For example, I will write the verses out and then you can read them once through and then another time with replacing the word “love” with “God.” First Corinthians 13:4-8a says, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” So, when you begin to fear that no one will ever really want to know and love you, remember the One who has loved you first! Never forget that God is unchanging! He is the One who you can find complete confidence and security in as He is the only perfect One! In addition, keep His love as your focus. Watch as God protects you from things that are not meant for you, and if He doesn’t, know that He will use those circumstances to bring you back to His perfect love!