What awesome attributes we have learnt about God’s character. The question is have we learnt enough to trust the only God who is good, merciful and compassionate, gracious, longsuffering, faithful, righteous and just? Let’s take one final look at another component of God’s character.
7. GOD IS LOVE
God is the very definition of love! Without God love does not exist. God is the source of love. God LOVES us!
1 John 4:7-8 NKJV
“[7] Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. [8] He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
God’s love (Greek – agape) flows from His being. Thus, His love for us is an essential and active part of who He is, not just what He does.
God’s love is steadfast and unchanging. It is not influenced by us or subject to our actions. It is unconditional and selfless. It is a deliberate, active and sacrificial love. _(1 Corinthians 13)
Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV
“The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.”
Isaiah 49:15-16 NKJV
“[15] Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. [16] See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me.”
Every other attribute of God stems from His love – His goodness, mercy and compassion, grace, patience, longsuffering and faithfulness, all flow from His love for us. He even rebukes us because of His love for us. (Hebrews 12:5-6)
FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD!
There is no better demonstration of God’s love for us than the life and death of Christ Jesus, when God gave His ultimate and best to redeem us. The story of Jesus Christ is the story of God’s love for broken humanity, and His desire to redeem and save us from sin and eternal death.
John 3:16-17 NKJV
“[16] For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. [17] For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
1 John 4:9-10 NLT
“[9] God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. [10] This is real love-not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.”
God further extended His love to us by making us His children. We are not orphans or bastards; we are legitimate adopted sons of God, passionately loved by Him.
1 John 3:1 TPT
“Look with wonder at the depth of the Father’s marvelous love that he has lavished on us! He has called us and made us his very own beloved children. The reason the world doesn’t recognize who we are is that they didn’t recognize him.”
To know the love of God is one of the greatest experiences one could ever have. However, many struggle with this, especially, men. To know the love of God, as Father, is the most liberating and empowering experience one could ever have! It changes everything about our relationship with and confidence in God.
Ephesians 3:18-19 NLT
“[18] And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. [19] May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” AMEN!
For Further Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:6; 1 Corinthians 13; Ephesians 3:14-21.
Fulfilling Our Theme For 2024: “Building The Highway And Lifting The Banner”
“And in that day, there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him…. (therefore) Go through, go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway! Take out the stones, lift up a banner for the peoples!” [Isaiah 11:10, Isaiah 62:10]
Women In Tune | QUIVER | Cedars House Christian (International)