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How do you decide whether anyone loves you?
They tell you so.
They think you are beautiful or handsome.
They want to be with you all the time.
They want to be close to you.
They give you gifts.
You can trust them.
They are totally faithful to you.
They always tell you The Truth. They never lie.
They bring Love, Joy and Peace into your life.
They want to be with you forever.
Satan tried many times to debate Jesus. He is still trying. Today he has decided to take his case to you, the people.
His tactic today is to tell you why you should never choose God over him. He has decided to strike by attacking God’s Love for you.
Here’s how he goes through that list of how you know someone loves you.
God never said He loved you. He was talking about other people, not you.
You are ugly. He messed up when He created you. Every problem you have is because you were created flawed.
Think of all those times God didn’t show up. It does not sound like He wants to be with you .
God is keeping His Distance. He is in Heaven. You are on earth. Not even close.
What has He ever given you? I can top anything He’s got to offer.
You can’t trust God. Think of all those unanswered prayers. Think of all the things He could have prevented or at least fixed and He didn’t.
He is unreliable. You never know what He is going to do. He knows The Plans He has for you, but He won’t tell you what they are. That’s not very faithful.
He lies.
If you choose Him, you won’t have a moment’s Peace. Forget Joy. Surely you know by now He won’t love you like I can.
I want to be with you forever.
Now before Jesus answers, remember two important things.
First, Jesus and His Father God are One. So He speaks for both.
And secondly, remember how Jesus already described satan.
He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
John 8:44
Let’s go through that list again of how we know if someone loves us. Let’s hear God’s and Jesus’ Response.
I have loved you with an Everlasting Love.
Jeremiah 31:3
You are awesomely and wonderfully made; My Works are wonderful. You know that full well.
Psalm 139:14
Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to see My Glory, The Glory You have given Me because You loved Me before the creation of the world.
John 17:24
Be sure of this. I am with you always.
Matthew 28:20
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from The Father of the heavenly lights, Who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17
Know therefore that The Lord your God is God, the faithful God Who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His Commandments, to a thousand generations.
Deuteronomy 7:9
I am The Way and The Truth and The Life.
John 14:6
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.
John 16:33
I have told you this so that My Joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
John 15:11
Remember,
I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.
John 14:20
I am with you always.
Matthew 28:20
Jesus asked Peter,
“What about you? Who do you say I am?”
Matthew 16:15
If your answer is like Peter’s, you will know Who loves you. And you will hear His Response.
If you love Me, keep My Commands.
John 14:15
