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We often express with words the fact that we love someone. This in turn causes people to ponder the question, “How do I know you love me?” There is no doubt that young people that date often wonder if the one that they are dating truly loves them. Often the one we date, or the one we are married to, or our children, or close friends tell us that they love us. But are the words, “I Love You,” a real indicator of the love that one has for another. Some have professed their love for another, and that love was from an impure heart and with impure motives. When the truth is discovered, it leaves a trail of hurt and anguish. True love is noticed not only by the words, but by actions towards the one that we love.

When it comes to the professed love of God, when that relationship we have with God is in question we can be sure that the love of God for us is not in word only, nor does it come from a place of impurity. We can look at the actions of God taken on the behalf of mankind to see His true love for us, His true desire is for us to be in Heaven with Him.

For example, we can know that God loves us because He has made all men heirs to the promise made to Abraham according to (Genesis 12:1-2, Genesis 22:17-18). Paul speaks of the realization of that promise in (Ephesians 1:4-11; 2:19-22). In these passages Paul shows that all Gentiles were chosen to sonship. That fact means that all Christians (those obedient to God’s commands) are a part of that promised family through Abraham, it makes us part of the family of God.

So, the love of God for you and me, is seen in the actions of God from the beginning. This promise is realized through the blood of Christ, it is to those that follow the plan of God and to those that God adds to the body of Christ and then continue to build upon that foundation. It was always the plan of God to bring both Jew and Gentile together in one body. That body is the kingdom of God, the church (1 Peter 1:11-12). God through the pen of the inspired writers revealed the truth of his love for mankind. God loves us so much that He planned from the beginning of time for the redemption of those who are in the body of Christ; this was His eternal purpose (Eph. 3:11). His plan to redeem man was fully realized when God allowed His Son to die upon Calvary’s tree. God, through His son built the church (Matt. 16:18), He purchased it with the precious blood of His Son (Acts 20:28). These actions taken by God show the value of his love towards mankind.

While it is hard to envision, God loves all men, even the vilest sinner that has ever lived. He loves the most perverse nation that has ever ruled. In fact, God loves His creation and gave His Son for all men. Those that hear God’s commands and obey him are added to His church (His kingdom). Paul in 2 Corinthians then describes the relationship between God and the Church as a marriage in which Christ is the head of the household. (Acts 2:47, 2 Cor. 11:2, Eph. 5:22ff). If this is not love, then we as men will never truly understand what love is.

Are you a member of this one body, the Church? If not, you should remember that God loves you and made it possible for you to become a part of the body of Christ. Peter in Acts 2 points out how it is possible to become a member of the body of Christ. Throughout that sermon Peter convinced many of the Jews of their sins. Realizing their sins they asked, “men and brethren what must we do to be saved.” Peter responded to the people, repent, and be baptized every one of you for the remission of sins. In Acts 2:47, we see that those who heard and obeyed Peter were added to the church by God.

Today you can accept the love of God, you can reserve your place in heaven with Him. Not with words but with actions. If you see your need and want to become a Christian don’t delay, do what Christians did in the first century, repent of your sin, confess the name of Jesus, and be baptized into the body of Christ. Upon your obedience God will add you to the kingdom and when your work on Earth is done you too can live eternally with Him.
(Tony Hoss is minister of the Centerview Church of Christ, Elizabethton)