The need to be loved

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

Now that it's a new year, let's explore three common needs that every human being has no matter what race, culture, socio-economic class, education or religion. We all are in the same boat.

Here's the first of the three common needs: the need to be loved.

The majority of today's songs are about love: the desire to give it and the need to receive it. I grew up on the Diana Ross song, "What the world needs now, is love, sweet love." In the 70's it was the hippie’s mantra, 'make love, not war.' In Christian circles we have heard of the 'hole in our heart that only God can fill.' It's true that no husband or wife can completely fulfill us. No career or amount of money can satisfy us completely.

But God is not just something we add to our lives. He IS our lives. Without His love, nothing works right. We are hard-wired to depend on His love completely. Without it, our canoe is going upstream without a paddle. There is no hope.

But "God SO LOVED THE WORLD."

Love isn't just a cute song or catchy phrase. Love always costs big-time. Few are willing to make the commitment to a love that is 'unconditional.' That's why God's love is so attractive, it's perfect. LOVE DEMANDS SACRIFICE and God demonstrated it for us.

Now Jesus invites us to return His love by loving Him, and also loving what He loves--other people! It's easy to love people that are kind and easy going. But the test of our love comes when it costs us. Dying to our expectations is painful, but necessary. That's what makes it unconditional.

So let's thankfully receive His lavish love for us.

And let's freely offer His love to people that irritate us, ignore us, or irk us.
Jesus did... and still does!

Intentional for souls,

Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org