You are loved

How do I know God loves me?

The short answer

God's love is not a vague feeling toward humanity in general but something He proved in action: while you were still a mess, not once you cleaned yourself up, Christ died for you. His love comes first, is everlasting, and does not rise and fall with your worst days.

When you feel unlovable, being told God loves you can sound like a slogan. So here is the specific ground the Bible stands on. God's love for you is not a vague warm feeling toward humanity in general. It is shown, proven, in something He actually did.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8

Read that second verse slowly. Not once you cleaned yourself up. Not when you deserved it. While you were still a mess, Christ died for you. God's love is not a response to your performance. It came first, and it does not fluctuate with your worst days.

A love that comes to you first

The Bible describes God's love as coming toward you before you ever reach for Him, everlasting, and stubborn.

“Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”
Jeremiah 31:3

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life... shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39

If you cannot feel this yet, that is okay. Love is not made true by your feeling it. You can ask, honestly, to know it, and let it reach you slowly.

God, I have believed for a long time that I am hard to love. Show me that Your love is real, and that it is for me, not just for everyone in general. Let it reach the part of me that cannot feel it. Amen.
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