“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” [1 John 3:1 NIV]
The KJV says how great is the love the father has BESTOWED on us, and the new Holman Christian Standard says how great is the love the father has GIVEN us.
I like the NIV translators best. I think they must have been feeling like I feel today. That English word lavished means bestowed, but it also means heaped, poured, smothered with, showered, covered, and loaded!
Nothing like being showered with the love of our Father God. The closest thing I can compare to in my life is the love I have for my three grandsons. I love spending time with them. I love taking them places and showing them new things. I love giving them gifts. I love smothering them with hugs and kisses. As great as my love for them, God’s love is even greater for me and you.
Jesus put it this way, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” [Matt 7:11 NKJV]
How much more? So much more! So much more than we can even think or imagine. And Luke 11:13 tells us these good gifts come to us through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes to us through the sacrifice of God’s Son. God’s Son comes to us through that great love that the Father has lavished on us.
My praises rise to you today, Father, for Your great love.