God's love for us is best illustrated through the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). This is a story about a son who demands that his father give him his share of his inheritance. The son then takes his money and goes away and wastes it all on foolish living. After his money is gone and he becomes destitute, he returns to his father and asks for his forgiveness and to take him back. The father is overcome with joy and welcomes his son home without hesitation, and he orders a lavish celebration to rejoice in his son's return. Jesus uses this story to tell us that God is like a good father who loves his children unconditionally. He wants what is best for us, and He wants us to be happy and safe. He will always love us, and He looks forward to the return of those who have ignored Him or have wandered off due to the distractions of this world.

Jesus also uses the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7) to tell us that we are each very precious to God.

Jesus understood that He would be killed by mankind, as told through the parable of the vineyard owner who leased his property to some farmers (Mark 12:1-8). The parable ends with the owner sending his son to collect his share of the harvest, and the farmers kill the son. And yet, Jesus loves us so much that He was willing to endure a cruel death to bring us God's Message.

"God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life."
Luke 3:16

"The greatest love a person can show is to die for his friends."
John 15:13

The parable portraying God as a good father (Luke 15:11-32) is instructive, because it helps us better understand the nature of God. As good parents of this world, do you desire and crave the love of your children? Of course you do. And do you want your children to fear you? Of course not. You are a provider and a protector, and you want your children to love and respect you. And so it is the same with God the Father.

So how do we show our love to God? One way is that we can spend time learning more about His teachings at church and through Bible study. Another way to show our love is to invite God into our lives and maintain a relationship with Him through prayer. But perhaps the most important way that we can demonstrate our love to God is by obeying the teachings of Jesus.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and most important command."
Matthew 22:37-38

"If people love me, they will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Those who do not love me do not obey my teaching. This teaching that you hear is not really mine; it is from my Father, who sent me."
John 14:23-24

God wants us to love others through genuine and sincere kindness and compassion. This means that we will be humble. We will not be critical or judgmental of others. We will not be hurtful or take advantage of others. Likewise, we will not treat others with indifference. We will help those who need help. And if we are wronged, we will forgive. If we love God, we will do these things daily. Constantly. Not just to those who are close to us like family and friends, but to everyone.

Some will say that these things are too difficult or impossible to do, or that there are some people who do not deserve our love and forgiveness. But understand that Jesus is teaching something extraordinary. Jesus is teaching us the meaning of perfect love. It is the perfect love that exists in heaven. It is the perfect love that we receive from God and from Jesus, and it is the way that God intended love to be with us.

We should understand that sins are those things that are contrary to love. Sin is un-love. Sins are acting, speaking, and thinking in ways that are hurtful to others and also to ourselves.

We should also be aware that Jesus didn't just teach these things. He lived them. Jesus endured verbal attacks, torture, and crucifixion. And He did so with love and forgiveness in His heart.

So if we want to be true followers of Jesus, remember that every person that we encounter is a child of God who deserves our love and compassion. And we should struggle and fight against our sin every day and try our very best to achieve perfect love in every thought, word, and deed. And when we stumble, we can ask God for His forgiveness, and we will be forgiven. And we can ask for His guidance and strength to do better the next day.

"And the second command is like the first: Love your neighbor as you love yourself."
Matthew 22:39

"Happy are those who hear the teaching of God and obey it."
Luke 11:28

Jesus teaches that God's greatest desire is that all of His children join Him in heaven. Jesus explains that those who have been baptized, have repented of their sins and asked for God's forgiveness, and have love in their hearts for God and for others will be welcomed into the kingdom of heaven. And that this is more important and valuable than earthly possessions.

Conversely, Jesus uses the parable about a big banquet (Luke 14:16-24) to tell us that God has invited all of us to join Him in heaven, but sadly, there are many people who have rejected God and His invitation. He also tells us that there are many who are on the wrong path, and that they will not be allowed into the kingdom of heaven. And in the end, when these people come to understand that they will be separated from God and His love for all of eternity, their anguish will be unbearable.

But Jesus reminds us through the story about workers (Matthew 20:1-16) that it is not too late to change our hearts and lives, and that God is ever hopeful that each of us will find our way to Him.

"The Father gives me my people. Every one of them will come to me, and I will always accept them. I came down from heaven to do what God wants me to do, not what I want to do. Here is what the One who sent me wants me to do: I must not lose even one whom God gave me, but I must raise them all on the last day. Those who see the Son and believe in him have eternal life, and I will raise them on the last day. This is what my Father wants."
John 6:37-40

"Change your hearts and lives and believe the Good News!"
Mark 1:15