My question for you today is: What are the transformational points in your life? What person or situation or circumstance has made such a difference in your life that you can say, “That transformed me”?

Transformed is a very strong word. It means a real change in our nature, character, or appearance. Something permanent, not temporary. If you think carefully about it, my guess is the transformational points in your life came because of love. Love has the power to transform us.

For example, getting to know Jesus and accepting his gift of salvation certainly transforms our nature, doesn’t it? The Bible says we become new creations in Christ; the new has come, the old has gone. The love of God transforms us like no other love ever could.

No wonder John 3:16 is the favorite verse in the Bible for many people.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

It’s because of that incredible love that we can have eternal life. I love the old hymn that begins “Loved with everlasting love, led by grace that love to know.” And then ends by declaring, “In a love that will not cease, I am his and he is mine.”

Knowing I am the one Jesus loves has transformed me, how about you? I simply can’t get through that hymn without tears of joy just knowing how God—the God of all the universe—loves me. Love is transformational. There’s no doubt about it.

Secular studies have repeatedly shown how love transforms people. They tell us knowing we are loved actually changes our brains. And of course, we know people who are not loved as children grow up with inner coffers that are horrifically empty. And this lack of love leads to all manner of other emotional and mental issues.

Have you been transformed by the power of the love of Jesus? Have you accepted his free gift of salvation by confessing your sins and believing he is the Son of God who paid the price for your sin, because he loves you? If not, there is no doubt an empty space inside of you that is love-starved for Jesus, and I would urge you even today to simply confess your sins to him and accept the love he offers.