How do we know God loves us freely?

The assurance of God's love comes from understanding that it is freely given, meaning there is no cause or merit within us that prompts Him to love us. As stated in Hosea 14:4, 'I will love them freely; for mine anger is turned away from them.' This passage makes it clear that God's love is not contingent upon our righteousness or worthiness. Furthermore, Romans 9:11-13 emphasizes that God's love and election occur before we even have the ability to perform good or evil, highlighting the sovereignty of His grace and the unmerited favor extended to His people.