John the Apostle wrote the Gospel of John as well as the letters of 1, 2 and 3 John. Probably no others books in the Bible talk more about love In his gospel he always referred to himself as “the disciple Jesus loved.” “How arrogant!” you think. No, he simply knew how Jesus felt about him. Yet, Jesus loved all the other disciples equally well, just as well as He loves you and me.

How often do we think of ourselves as “the disciple Jesus loved?” Perhaps never. But if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then you are indeed. Jesus loved all the world enough to die for each of us individually; therefore; you are the disciple Jesus loves!

Some people might never think of themselves this way so never find the comfort it brings when going through difficult situations. Others might know that the Bible says Jesus loves them but don’t recognize the truth of that, at least not to a very great extent. We know the wrong thoughts and deeds we do and simply can’t understand how Someone holy and righteous, who never does anything not right, can love us completely.

Imagine a perfect parent, one who loved their child without condition, who taught the child all they needed to know and disciplined only for the child’s good. This parent provided everything the child needed but most of all simply assured the child of their love. That’s a picture of Jesus and Father God. That’s a picture of how they feel about YOU!

When this knowledge finally sinks down into our hearts so that we know that we know it – without any doubt whatsoever – then we know a peace and joy that’s impossible to find anywhere else. Then we know what real love is. That love doesn’t disappear simply because we make a mistake or do what we know we shouldn’t. It’s still there, drawing us back to confess our wrong-doing and making our relationship right again. With this kind of love deep in our hearts, then we learn what real love is and can extend it to others.

Seek to let your heart feel the love of Jesus and of Father God. It sets you free to be the person you were created to be without having to live up to someone else’s standards. YOU are a delight to Daddy God! Believe it!