Flatwoods Church of Christ Gospel Meeting with Jerry Carmichael

“Jesus Loves Me! This I Know” is one of the first songs many learn as a child, yet its message is profound enough to encourage us throughout our entire lives. The song declares that we know Jesus loves us because “the Bible tells me so.” That simple statement is the foundation of our faith. Our confidence in Christ’s love is not based on our emotions, our circumstances, or our own worthiness—it is based upon the unchanging truth of God’s Word. The Bible repeatedly assures us that God’s love is real, personal, and demonstrated through the sacrifice of His Son.

Perhaps the greatest declaration of God’s love is found in John 3:16: “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.” God’s love was not merely spoken; it was demonstrated. He gave His Son so that we might have the opportunity to be forgiven and enjoy eternal life. Paul echoed this truth when he wrote, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Jesus did not wait for us to become perfect before loving us. He loved us enough to die in our place while we were still separated from Him by sin.

The love of Christ is personal. Jesus described Himself as the Good Shepherd, saying, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Later He declared, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). The cross stands forever as the greatest expression of love the world has ever known. Every nail, every wound, and every drop of blood reminds us that Jesus willingly gave Himself so that we could be reconciled to God.

Knowing that Jesus loves us should also give us confidence during life’s trials. Paul triumphantly asked, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 8:35). After listing hardship, persecution, danger, and suffering, he concluded, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come… shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). The Christian may face many difficulties, but nothing can destroy God’s faithful love for those who belong to Christ.

Because Jesus loves us, He calls us to respond with faithful obedience. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Our obedience does not earn His love; rather, it is our grateful response to the love He has already shown us. Likewise, John wrote, “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). When we truly appreciate the sacrifice Christ made for us, we desire to honor Him in the way we live, worship, and serve.

The familiar words, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so,” are much more than the lyrics of a children’s hymn. They summarize one of the greatest truths found in all of Scripture. The Bible tells us that Jesus loves us because He came to earth, lived a sinless life, died on the cross, was buried, and rose again so that we might have hope beyond the grave. That love invites every person to trust His promises, obey His gospel, and remain faithful until the end. May we never outgrow the simple but life-changing truth that Jesus loves us, and may we strive each day to love Him in return with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

God Bless