A Love Worth Remaining In
- Krista Kalinowski
- Feb 16
- 7 min read
Updated: Mar 23
In this post I'd like to share some devotional reflections on God’s great love for each of us, along with some questions to consider at the end. I hope you’ll sit with each of these verses, taking the time to let the pure love that comes down from Heaven wash over you and just be a reminder of the beautiful gift we have been given in Christ. This love is truly a love worth remaining in.
1 John 4:16
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
As we grow as followers of Christ, the deeper we become in our relationship with Him, which helps us truly know and believe the love God has for us is genuine, real and authentic. Knowing God’s love isn’t about an intellectual understanding, but comes through a daily experience of trusting Him and leaning into Him no matter what.
God Himself is love, which means His grace, mercy, and kindness flow from this perfect love, which is His very nature.
To abide in God’s love, means to remain in it; to stay as close as we possibly can to Him on this side of Heaven and allow that love to shape our thoughts, our actions and spill over into our relationships. Through the personal experience of this love we can live confidently knowing we are fully secure in Him.
When we embrace this truth, His love overflows from our lives, allowing us to extend this same grace, mercy, kindness and compassion to those we rub shoulders with.
Psalm 86:15
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
One of the most beautiful things about God’s love for us, is that it is not fleeting or conditional — like the human love we experience. No, God’s love is constant, sure, and flowing from a place that never runs dry.
When we fall short, when we mess up, when we make the wrong choice — He remains faithful and is always there to extend compassion because He is full of mercy and grace. No matter how undeserving we may feel, God’s love never wavers because He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
We can find peace and assurance knowing that His kindness and love are greater than our mistakes and shortcomings. He meets us right where we are and is ready to lead us the rest of the way, until we're finally home with Him forever.
John 15:9
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
Jesus is God and the love that He so freely gave to us, flowed from His Father and He invites us to remain in this love. This love is not a temporary affection, but is rooted in a secure and close relationship with Jesus.
We abide in His love by trusting His words, walking in obedience and following His example. When we stay close to Him we experience supernatural peace and joy and we live with purpose: to share this great love with the rest of the world.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
This verse always leaves me in awe of God, especially when I’m tired of this world and I’m eager for Him to return and take us home.
But God is not impatient and does not grow weary with time because He is always working and He has a plan and purpose in everything that is happening on earth. Even when it seems like everything is out of control; He is taking care of things and He is lovingly giving every person the opportunity to choose Him.
One day God will judge the world and the sin that has wreaked havoc since the beginning, but Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world but to bring salvation. This is the greatest news and there are still people that need to hear it and receive it!
This verse is a precious reminder that every day we are still here is another opportunity for us to tell someone about Jesus and put God’s mercy on display allowing more people to experience His grace and forgiveness.
Let us not grow weary.
Isaiah 53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
We will never begin to fathom of the depth of suffering Jesus endured, the rejection He experienced and the humiliation He incurred — for me and you. It is by His wounds that we are redeemed and His sacrificial act showed us that true love is selfless.
There is no greater love than this and when we honestly take the time to reflect on this sacrifice, it should leave us filled with gratitude.
It was only through His death that we could find healing for our souls and experience a peace that surpasses all understanding.
All glory to Him, forever and ever - Amen.
Questions
Are there any areas of your life where you’re not living in the fullness of God’s love? What do you think is holding you back?
In what ways can you reflect God’s love more intentionally in your relationship with others?
Do you struggle to accept God’s love and grace? If so, why?
Think back to a time where you experienced God’s compassion and faithfulness in your life.
How can you begin cultivating a deeper connection with Jesus?
How does God’s patience with you encourage you to be patient with others?
How can you live in gratitude for the price Jesus paid for your redemption?
I’ll close with a prayer:
Lord God,
Thank You for Your unfailing, compassionate, and patient love. I am so thankful that You are slow to anger, abounding in grace and always drawing me closer to You. Please help me to experience the love You have for me not just in my mind, but in the depths of my heart and soul. I want it to change me to be more like Jesus.
Help me to remain in Your love, daily walking in obedience to Your word and trusting Your perfect timing. When I feel far from You or unworthy of Your love, remind me that Your love never changes and it is free gift that You will never take away from me. When I struggle with doubt or fear, anchor me in the truth that You are love, and in You, I am fully known and fully accepted.
Thank You, Jesus, for the sacrifice You made, for taking my burdens and all my shortcomings onto Yourself and nailing them to the cross so that I could find healing and peace. I want to live in gratitude for the price You paid, allowing Your love to transform my heart and my life so that it is a reflection of You.
May I be a light in a world that so desperately needs to know You and experience Your love. May my life be a testimony of You grace and forgiveness, pointing others to Your unfailing faithfulness and showing them that Your love is worth remaining in.
Thank you so much. I love you.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen.
Love, your sister in Christ - Krista
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Keep scrolling for some great resources on God's grace, mercy and love!
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