Today’s Encouragement is, “God is love.” 1 John 4:8b NLT
God Is Love –
(For the next several days, we will explore this amazing concept)
God’s Love is not a new idea; the Bible, including the Old Testament, is full of statements about God’s Love. We all know “God so loved the world,” John 3:16. “
Yet John introduces a new depth of Truth here. He identifies God AS Love. Not that He has love for us, or that He exemplifies love (which He does), but that He IS LOVE! Now, this is hard to grasp. Please don’t let it slip through. John is saying that Love is the character, the nature, the primary characteristic of God!
Certainly, one word cannot describe God! He’s far too vast, too immeasurable, too great, too – well – indescribable! Yet John dares to do so, without apology or much explanation. Just three words. God. Is. Love.
First, we must put aside our preconceptions, misunderstandings, and polluted human understanding of love. God’s Love (capitalized for distinction) is not our human warm feelings and stimulation. It is not our pining after another human for self-satisfaction. It’s not even our warmest relationships with family or friends. It is far beyond that. Although human love is similar, it is merely a sip of the immeasurable Love of God.
Father, please help us to grow in deeper understanding and greater experience of Your everlasting, immeasurable Love.
The Everlasting Love of God
Matt Boswell and Matt Papa