This week’s devotions are based on “Gifts from Our Father!” (WATCH HERE)
“I love you.”
These three words are probably some of the most powerful in the English language when said personally and with sincerity.
These words move a relationship from a transactional, surface interaction, to a heartfelt, inner connected relationship.
But what do they mean when a) our heavenly Father speaks them to us and b) when we as earthly fathers speak them to our children?
- “I love you” affirms the relationship.
The Father said to Jesus at his baptism, “This is my son whom I love.” This expression of love indicated that the Father’s relationship with his Son was not just a business relationship for the task of saving the world, but a genuine, close, heart-felt relationship that was deeper than even the mission he was on. When our heavenly Father says to us, “I love you,” it affirms that we are his dear children.
1 John 3:1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him
2. “I love you” forgives past actions and secures the relationship in grace.
When we speak the words, “I love you” to an individual, it means we are not holding a grudge or hoping to get even for a past hurt they perpetuated on us. The same is true for our heavenly Father. The fact that he loves us reminds us that he is more than willing to completely forgive our sins and allow the relationship to be at peace. His love covers over a multitude of sin and assures our heart that we are at peace with God. As earthly fathers, these words say the same to our children to remind them that the sins of the past are forgiven and the relationship is at peace.
Isaiah 54:9-10 “To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again. 10 Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
3. “I love you” moves you to sacrificial action.
The concept of “love” in the Bible is not just an emotional affection toward someone, but rather a willingness to sacrifice one’s all for another. Jesus’ love for us is one that drove him to go to the cross and give his life for us. This sacrificial love is one that we as earthly fathers get to exhibit in our relationship to our children. They know that if their life is on the line, we will be willing to sacrifice ours to rescue theirs. They know that if they need food, clothing, or shelter, we will work our hardest to provide for what they need. Children may not always see or appreciate the sacrifices that a father goes through to provide for their children, but a heart of love puts another person, our children, and their needs above our own.
John 15:12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Love is not just a powerful emotion, it is a powerful commitment to another person. What a gift our heavenly Father has given to us…what a gift we get to give to our children!
Apply: What does it mean to you when someone says to you, “I love you”? What does it mean to you when you say to someone, “I love you”?
Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your love for me that shows your forgiveness, grace, and willingness to give all for me. Your love inspires and empowers me to share that love with my family as well as the people around me. AMEN.