ββ¦God is loveβ¦ God is loveβ¦ We love him, because he first loved usβ (1 John 4:8b,16b,19).
The word βloveβ is used very flippantly in todayβs world. Of the many who speak about βlove,β few know what it is. On this Valentineβs Day, we offer sound doctrine from Godβs Word to correct the misunderstandings of what love really is. What is love, according to Godβs Word?
Todayβs Scripture says that βGod is loveββGod does not simply love, but His very nature is love. What does that mean? In 1 John 3:16, we read: βHereby we perceive the love of God, because he laid down his life for us:β Our Apostle Paul put it this way: βBut God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for usβ (Romans 5:8). Godβs nature is loveβselfless, self-sacrificing!
Godβs Word defines love and charity in 2 Corinthians 12:15: βAnd I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.β Love is seeking the best interest of others, even if it costs you something (time, energy, resources, et cetera). Charity is love in deed (demonstrated, manifested in action). God loved us, so He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. It cost God the Father His Son, and it cost God the Son His life. What a selfless act!
Our nature in Adam is selfish, but our nature in Christ is not. Paul declares, βthe love of Christ constraineth usβ (2 Corinthians 5:14). We who have trusted Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour, our Christian lives are driven and motivated by Christβs love for us, not our love for Him. It is this unselfish love of Christ working in us that causes us to look on the things of others, to seek their edification and their benefit, not ours (Romans 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 10:24; Philippians 2:1-11). This will result in charity, our selfless actions reflecting that love of Christ (2 Corinthians 12:15).
As the lost world observes our Christian service, they will see, βGod is love.β source
