GOD’S HEART IS LOVE (1)

“He who does not love does not know God, for GOD IS LOVE” – 1 John 4:8

Above any other descriptive attribute, GOD’S HEART IS LOVE: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for GOD IS LOVE. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him” (1Jh.4:7-9). God's love takes diverse forms throughout the stories of scripture, but the Bible actually refers to God as Love! Verse 16 repeats this: “GOD is LOVE, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” If God is Love, so is His Heart! God shares His Heart of Love with us in order that we may also learn to live in love: “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (v.11).

Love radiates through all aspects of God’s Heart. His Love is unconditional, unending, and unfailing – unmistakable.

God’s Love is unconditional. All of the condition for His Love is fulfilled in His Son: “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” (Jh.3:16). Unconditional love means choosing to love regardless of circumstances. Love could be described as wanting the best for someone, and that's exactly what God intends for us. He doesn’t owe anyone an explanation for loving whoever He loves. His Love keeps no record of wrongs. God loved us while we were still sinners (Rom.5:8). He loves us simply because He does. We don’t have to work for His affection.                      

God’s Love is unending. He absolutely loves us; hard to believe, but true. This is where the faith journey starts: understanding that God loves us. If we don’t have an assurance of His love, our faith journey will not last long. Fortunately, the Bible helps to strengthen our faith in God's Love. There is no force more powerful than the love our heavenly Father has for us, His children. His Love moves mountains, stops boisterous seas, heals broken bones and wounded hearts, transforms lives, and sets free those held captive by sin and shame. So great is His love for us that He sent His only Son to die that we might live (v.9). The Love in God’s heart is higher than the heavens: “Your steadfast LOVE, O LORD, extends to the heavens; Your faithfulness to the clouds” (Psa.36:5, ESV).

God’s love is unfailing and unmistakable. His relentless, loyal love arrived in Jesus, and His affection for us drove Him to give us the ultimate act of loyal love in His life, death, and resurrection. God is not an angry taskmaster who shows affection only when we succeed. He is our loving Father who will always love us no matter what. We must take time to receive the depth of God’s Love for us today. We must allow His Love to heal us, transform us, free us, and lead us to the abundant life He has always longed to give.

Several verses of scripture tell of God’s Heart of Love. As we walk in Faith, let’s read, meditate, and pray over these Bible verses about God’s Love and many more that cannot be contained in this devotional:                                                                                                                                                               

“How priceless is your UNFAILING LOVE, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings” (Psa.36:7, NIV).

“The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with HIS LOVE, He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zeph.3:17).

“But God demonstrates HIS OWN LOVE toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ dies for us” (Rom.5:8).

“Behold what manner of LOVE the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1Jh.3:1).  

"Keep yourself in the LOVE of GOD, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 1:21).