Shared devotional content from the common study platform.
But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
We often think we need to clean up our act before God can truly love us. It is easy to believe that His affection is just a reward for good behavior. But God flips the script completely by proving His devotion doesn't depend on our perfection. He didn't wait for us to get our lives together before He stepped in to rescue us.
Think about what this means when you inevitably mess up today. Instead of hiding in shame or beating yourself up, you can bring your mistakes directly to Him without fear. His grace isn't a fragile thread that snaps when you make a bad choice. It is a solid foundation that was built for you at your absolute worst.
This kind of radical affection should also change how we treat the people around us. Today, look for someone who might feel unlovable or who is acting out of hurt. You don't have to wait for them to apologize or change their ways before you show them kindness. You can choose to extend grace right now, passing on the same unconditional love you have received.
Dear God, thank You for loving me even on my messiest days when I feel completely unworthy. Help me to fully rest in Your grace and let it overflow into how I treat the difficult people in my life today. Amen.