God’s Passionate Love for You
By Rick Warren

“Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love.” (Ephesians 1:4 The Message) 

The greatest Christmas gift you’ll ever receive is God’s gift to you. It's the whole reason we celebrate Christmas. It's the subject of the Bible’s most famous verse—John 3:16. 

Billions of people throughout history have memorized the verse. Why is it so important?

John 3:16 explains the meaning of Christmas. It summarizes the entire message of the Bible. 

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJV).

John 3:16 reminds us that God’s Christmas gift to us involves his greatest passion—loving us.

The first phrase in the verse says, “God so loved the world.” It’s one thing for someone to say they love you, but, when they say they so love you, that shows passion. No one will ever love you with the intensity that God does. 

God has always loved you. Ephesians 1:4 says, “Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love” (The Message). Before God created the world to sustain human life, he planned your life. God built the universe because he wanted to love you. 

God has never created a person he doesn't love. Everything in life—air, water, food, sun, etc.— is a gift that originates in God's love for you.

Nothing can take that love away from you. Romans 8:39 says, “There is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord” (GNT).

God loves you on your good days and your bad days. He loves you when you feel it and when you don't. God will never love you any more than he does right now. And he will never love you any less.

That’s the greatest gift you’ll ever receive.

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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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