The love of God
Romans 5:8
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."— Romans 5:8, NIV
Reflection
The timing is the proof. Christ didn't die for us after we got cleaned up. He died for us while. While we were still sinners — in the middle of the mess, with no commitment to change yet, with no qualifying behavior. That's the demonstration. If God's love had been conditional on our worth, we'd never have qualified. The whole gospel hinges on this verse: the love came first, the response is second. You're not earning your way up to love. You're responding to love that came down to you.
Prayer
Father, thank you for loving me before I cleaned up. Help me love others the same way.