Does Jesus love me even though I have done bad things?

Yes. The Bible is explicit that Christ died for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). His love is not a reward for good behavior; it is what makes forgiveness and a fresh start possible.

How do I know Jesus loves me?

Christians point above all to the cross: Jesus said the greatest love is to lay down your life for another (John 15:13), and then he did. His love is shown in action, not just words, and you can ask him to make it real to you in prayer.

Does Jesus love everyone or just some people?

The Gospel says God so loved the world (John 3:16), which means every person without exception, including you. His love is offered to all; it becomes yours when you receive it.

Love

Does Jesus Love Me?

Yes. Jesus loves you personally, not in a vague or general way but with the deliberate love that laid down his life for you. He said there is no greater love than to lay down your life for another, and then he did exactly that. His love does not wait until you have earned it; the Bible says he died for us while we were still far off.

If you are asking because it is hard to believe anyone could love you, especially anyone who knows the whole truth about you, you are not the first to feel that. The remarkable claim of the Gospel is that Jesus knows all of it and still chose the cross.

What Jesus said and did

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

John 15:13

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8

“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.”

John 15:9

Notice the order in Romans 5:8. Christ did not wait for us to clean ourselves up first. His love came toward us while we were still turned away. That is the difference between the love of Jesus and almost every other kind of love you will meet: it is not a reward for being good enough. It is the reason anyone can come home at all.

What that means for you

You do not have to feel loved before it is true, any more than you have to feel the sun to be warmed by it. The love of Jesus is a fact fixed at the cross, older than your worst day and steadier than your feelings. The next step is simply to receive it: tell him honestly where you are, and ask him to make his love real to you.

Frequently asked questions

Does Jesus love me even though I have done bad things?: Yes. The Bible is explicit that Christ died for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). His love is not a reward for good behavior; it is what makes forgiveness and a fresh start possible.
How do I know Jesus loves me?: Christians point above all to the cross: Jesus said the greatest love is to lay down your life for another (John 15:13), and then he did. His love is shown in action, not just words, and you can ask him to make it real to you in prayer.
Does Jesus love everyone or just some people?: The Gospel says God so loved the world (John 3:16), which means every person without exception, including you. His love is offered to all; it becomes yours when you receive it.

One step further: What is God's love actually like? →

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Come and see for yourself

You do not have to take our word for any of this. The love of God is not finally an idea to be agreed with but a Person to be met, and Jesus still draws near to everyone who comes to him with an open heart. Read his own words, tell him honestly where you are, and see. It costs you nothing but a little quiet and an honest look.

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God is love.

Explore furtherDoes God love me?What is God's love?What Jesus taught about love After what I have done?Meet Jesus