For decades, I defined love as sex. I bought into the lie that through sexual manipulation, true love and acceptance would be achieved. Even years after becoming a Christian, the deception continued.

Perhaps the atrocities committed against me as a child had altered my perception of what a normal relationship between a man and woman should look like. In any case, it wasn’t until about a year ago that a ‘God truth’ really sunk in, colliding inside like a freight train.

In the midst of healing from a profound heartbreak, the clarity and depth of God’s love burned through me as ferociously as the moment I first received Christ into my life. The intensity of his love significantly transformed my thinking. I could truly live in God’s declaration of who I always was, stated eloquently in today’s verse.

My secured identity as God’s child afforded me a lavishing of his love. True love. Hard to believe it took this long not only to face the truth again, but to believe it without doubt. Now, I daily live in this reality, strengthening the already peaceful and content life I have only known in a relationship with God.

By definition, we as Christians are God’s children elevated to a position that includes being profusely loved by God, whose very nature is love. May we put aside what the world tries to imply or label us with and let nothing cloud God’s truth. Soak it up and pour it out on others around you.

Precious Father, your love for me is astounding. It’s what has held me together all these years through every difficult life circumstance. Thank you for your lavish love. May I never lose sight of how I’m defined in you! It is in Jesus’ name I praise you. Amen.

Throughout This Day: Thank God often for his amazing, infinite love towards you, and for the indescribable privilege of being his child forever.



Tags: Daily Devotional 1 John 3
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