1 John 4:16 (CB)

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

God loves because He is love. His love springs from His character rather than the character of those He loves. He loves us not because of what we are, but in spite of what we are. Every Christian must realize that he does not deserve God’s favor. Salvation is only possible because God in love sent His Son, the only One worthy of the Father’s love, to be the Redeemer of an unlovely people. This realization should arouse humility and gratitude in all who have experienced God’s free love revealed and given in Jesus Christ.