God's Love Defined

We often take time to remember Jesus, to remember His sacrifice for us on the cross. But how does He think of us? We are told God loves us in the Bible, but how does this really look? And to what degree does He love us? Let’s look at some examples in the Bible, and see what this love really looks like. I came away with 4 ways to describe God’s Love in particular (although there are many others).

First Matthew 10:29-31 relates, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Here we see that God’s love is incalculable. He knows us through and through, inside and out. This is reassuring, but also a little scary – isn’t it? That someone could know us better than we know ourselves!

Second if we turn to the book of Psalms, we see Psalm 52:8 which says “But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. “ Likewise Psalm 136:1 says, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Here the psalmist shows that God’s love has no time limit. It goes on forever. If He can forgive a sinner 2,000 years ago, He can forgive you and me today.

Thirdly 1 John 2:4-6 also speaks about God’s love for man. It says “The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” His love is shown here as disciplined. Real love seen here as coinciding with obedience. A conscious decision. When we walk inside the faith (and not outside of it), His love is made complete in us.

And finally Romans 5:7-9 tells us “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God’s love is merciful. Though we didn’t deserve it, we received it. Though we mocked His son on the cross, we received it. Though we mock Him sometimes today with the great sins of our time (abortion, pornography, dehumanization) we received it. He is capable of loving us so much more than we can ever give back to Him, but He does it anyway. His love is incalculable, forever, disciplined, and merciful. In other words – it is perfect!

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