God loves me. On a practical level, what does that look like?

[dysert]

We hear it all the time: God loves you. I struggle to figure out what that looks like on a practical, here-and-now basis? I can identify lots of things that it *doesn't* mean:

• God won't let me get sick
• God will heal me when I do get sick
• God will make me happy
• God won't let me lose my job

And there are many more. Can we have a discussion on what it means, practically, to say that God loves us?

 

[timewerx]

That's funny, I lost my job and was jobless for years, 36 years old now, still single and poor, and I'm still happy.

 

[dysert]

That's funny, I lost my job and was jobless for years, 36 years old now, still single and poor, and I'm still happy.

I'm glad for you that you're happy, but it really doesn't answer the question posed in the OP. Thoughts?

 

[Radagast]

We hear it all the time: God loves you. I struggle to figure out what that looks like on a practical, here-and-now basis?

For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16, Christian Standard Bible)

 

[mukk_in]

We hear it all the time: God loves you. I struggle to figure out what that looks like on a practical, here-and-now basis? I can identify lots of things that it *doesn't* mean:

• God won't let me get sick
• God will heal me when I do get sick
• God will make me happy
• God won't let me lose my job

And there are many more. Can we have a discussion on what it means, practically, to say that God loves us?

I'm thinking of Psalm 103. To be loved by the Lord means the following to me:

- To be forgiven of all my sins
- To be healed of all my diseases
- To be redeemed from judgment, condemnation, depression
- To receive His tenderness, love and affection from the Holy Spirit, family and friends
- To have my desires satisfied with good things
- To be young at heart and energetic even when a look in the mirror says otherwise..lol.

Please note that I'm NOT saying that we're not being blessed if these weren't happening all the time. That's just been my experience with the Lord as explained in Psalm 103. Peace in Christ .

 

[timewerx]

I'm glad for you that you're happy, but it really doesn't answer the question posed in the OP. Thoughts?

Perhaps because God may be teaching me some lessons in all these.

You know, things that Jesus only reveals to His disciples.

But I really don't know if God loves me, I guess I'll find it out in the judgement.

 

[timewerx]

To clarify, it's hard to be certain. I guess it's one big surprise once we face God.

 

[BoLeVi]

God love people who love him. If he love you will be showed to you.

 

[“Paisios”]

We hear it all the time: God loves you. I struggle to figure out what that looks like on a practical, here-and-now basis? I can identify lots of things that it *doesn't* mean:

• God won't let me get sick
• God will heal me when I do get sick
• God will make me happy
• God won't let me lose my job

And there are many more. Can we have a discussion on what it means, practically, to say that God loves us?

God told me “You are not alone. You are loved”, and has lent me His Presence when I needed it at the worst times of my life, and left enough residue to hold me faithful for the last 25 years. When I have followed His call, He provided for me, when I literally felt that my wife and I would have nothing to eat for a few weeks.

And, of course, He made a plan through the Crucifixion and Resurrection to reconcile us to Him, at great cost to Himself.

 

[dysert]

For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16, Christian Standard Bible)

Yes, I know I can count on Him to save me in eternity, but this topic is about the here-and-now.

 

[dysert]

I'm thinking of Psalm 103. To be loved by the Lord means the following to me:

- To be forgiven of all my sins
- To be healed of all my diseases
- To be redeemed from judgment, condemnation, depression
- To receive His tenderness, love and affection from the Holy Spirit, family and friends
- To have my desires satisfied with good things
- To be young at heart and energetic even when a look in the mirror says otherwise..lol.

Please note that I'm NOT saying that we're not being blessed if these weren't happening all the time. That's just been my experience with the Lord as explained in Psalm 103. Peace in Christ .

Thanks for that, but in reality I have not been healed of all my diseases, I have not had my desires satisfied with good things, and I'm far from energetic. I'm not saying that Psalm 103 is wrong, but as you may know, we must read the psalms as poetry and not doctrine.

 

[Abaxvahl]

We hear it all the time: God loves you. I struggle to figure out what that looks like on a practical, here-and-now basis? I can identify lots of things that it *doesn't* mean:

• God won't let me get sick
• God will heal me when I do get sick
• God will make me happy
• God won't let me lose my job

And there are many more. Can we have a discussion on what it means, practically, to say that God loves us?

The biggest sign of this to me is that continues to uphold our existence and let us live despite our continually sinning and being an affront to Him on a daily basis, because He doesn't have to. The death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ as well. Not to mention giving us a will in our own possession to repent with, believe, and follow Him, giving us many chances to do so even when we don't. Never to me would it mean (at least usually) things that are external, like sickness, jobs, happiness that is derived from things not Him (and in Him there is no happiness, only the higher forms of that being joy, contentment, peace, and so on), etc.

 

[mukk_in]

We hear it all the time: God loves you. I struggle to figure out what that looks like on a practical, here-and-now basis? I can identify lots of things that it *doesn't* mean:

• God won't let me get sick
• God will heal me when I do get sick
• God will make me happy
• God won't let me lose my job

And there are many more. Can we have a discussion on what it means, practically, to say that God loves us?

Quite true. Sometimes, God's love

Thanks for that, but in reality I have not been healed of all my diseases, I have not had my desires satisfied with good things, and I'm far from energetic. I'm not saying that Psalm 103 is wrong, but as you may know, we must read the psalms as poetry and not doctrine.

Understood brother. Sometimes in God's permissive will, we may never be rich, healed, healthy or strong (I was poor, diseased and homeless for some time). If that were true neither the Lord Jesus (who died a lonely and painful death) or Paul (who was never healed of a peculiar eye disease - probably from being struck blind on the road to Damascus) would ever be Christians. Hebrews also speaks of saints who never received their promises. The fact that God loves you is probably best proven by the peace His Holy Spirit grants you, no matter what the circumstances. I was about to say this, when you quoted. You still have your reward in heaven. Hope that helps. Peace in Christ .

 

[Albion]

Yes, I know I can count on Him to save me in eternity, but this topic is about the here-and-now.

But to know it in the here-and-now and to have reason to be convinced of the truth of it in the here-and-now seems very much "here-and-now."

 

[dysert]

But to know it in the here-and-now and to have reason to be convinced of the truth of it in the here-and-now seems very much "here-and-now."

Wow, Albion, that's pretty existential (I think) ;-)

 

[Johnny4ChristJesus]

We hear it all the time: God loves you. I struggle to figure out what that looks like on a practical, here-and-now basis? I can identify lots of things that it *doesn't* mean:

• God won't let me get sick
• God will heal me when I do get sick
• God will make me happy
• God won't let me lose my job

And there are many more. Can we have a discussion on what it means, practically, to say that God loves us?

A couple responses:

(1) I don't like when people routinely say "God loves you. And, I do, too!" because I rarely see that mean anything practically--just because people say it. I had a pastor say it yesterday to an entire congregation and he doesn't even know me (not claiming that's his fault only; but, I didn't say I love him. He said he loved me.) And, there is nothing he has done to back that claim that he loves me, individually. I have been involved in discussions with people who claim God loves everyone and they put on a facade about loving everyone themselves; until they can't convince those in the group and then they de-friend. I think the reason I don't like the routine and blind declaration that "God loves you" is that Scripture doesn't support God loving everyone. And, Scripture doesn't support God loving you regardless of your response to Him. I think that is one of the biggest deceptions and it will cost people their lives. Jesus, Himself, says that there are people who will call Him "Lord" to which He will respond: "I never knew you".

(2) But, when God says it to you, you have a sense of peace and hope that transcends anything that happens here on earth. And your priorities change--God and the things of God truly become your first priority--above all other things including family, friends, job, etc. It is a real desire for God to come first. And, you will have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and Truth--you won't be able to get enough of the living and active Word of God. And, you will pray/talk to God when no one is looking, and worship God when no one is looking. Immediately, when God tells you He loves you, you have a deep deep love for God. You don't fear death, because you know that you know that you know you are His. What re-assurance! There are many other things that can happen; but the fruit of the Spirit should progressively be developing in you, if you feel the love of God.

 

[Albion]

doesn't point 1 cancel out point 2 in that explanation?

 

[A_Thinker]

We hear it all the time: God loves you. I struggle to figure out what that looks like on a practical, here-and-now basis? I can identify lots of things that it *doesn't* mean:

• God won't let me get sick
• God will heal me when I do get sick
• God will make me happy
• God won't let me lose my job

And there are many more. Can we have a discussion on what it means, practically, to say that God loves us?

As Americans, we can be a little spoiled ...

On a daily basis, God provides us with many blessings we typically take for granted ...

Food
Clothing
Shelter
Entertainment
Health Care
Security
Familial Love

There are many christians for whom these blessings are much less certain.

When I see my 80-100 year old brothers and sisters still going forward, I can believe that God will bring us through whatever we face. Many of these lived through the Depression ... and much worse times than we face today.

Trust in God that He will bring you through your difficulties.

And let us pray for one another ...

 

[MyGivenNameIsKeith]

We hear it all the time: God loves you. I struggle to figure out what that looks like on a practical, here-and-now basis? I can identify lots of things that it *doesn't* mean:

• God won't let me get sick
• God will heal me when I do get sick
• God will make me happy
• God won't let me lose my job

And there are many more. Can we have a discussion on what it means, practically, to say that God loves us?

It looks like a cross.
God loves you can mean: you'll get sick, and it can also mean you won't.
will or won't heal you when you do get sick.
will or won't make you happy.
will or won't let you lose your job.
Your own understanding is why you struggle. You never completely give control over to Him.

 

[Ching]

I can identify lots of things that it *doesn't* mean:

• God won't let me get sick
• God will heal me when I do get sick
• God will make me happy
• God won't let me lose my job

And there are many more. Can we have a discussion on what it means, practically, to say that God loves us?

Kids hear this all the time that they get so sick of it. God loves you. Yeah...I know.

But what does it really mean?

To answer your question, I immediately went to the story of easter. Really, the whole story of the bible is a redemption story. The story of mankind's redemption through and because of the love of God.

Satan underestimated just how much God loved us. That he sent Jesus for us.

If I went into this in more detail, then maybe you'll find something you didn't already know. But I won't get into it or else my post will be far to long to be readable.

Perhaps keep your question in mind when studying the bible.

Just real quick, even though God loves us, doesn't mean we won't lose our jobs, will be happy or anything else from your list.

As I write this, I think of job and his reply to his sufferings, "the Lord gives, the Lord takes, praise the Lord."

For sure, we will never face something we can't handle, whether or not we know we can handle it. Example, if it be out of our comfort zones but it's still something we can do.

That is one way of God loving us in a practical sense.