One of the most well-known verses in the bible is John 3:16. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Not only does God love us but 1 John 4:8 states that ..."God IS love". It is one thing for Him to love us, but it is yet another for Him to actually BE love towards us.
What is the bible definition of LOVE? 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity. but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
In the past, when I read this passage, I always looked at it as instruction on how I was to act towards others. I don't believe I ever gave much thought about these characteristics as ones that describe God's love toward me but God is love and Paul, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit described God's love.
God suffers long toward us...toward our inability to "get it right" the first time...the second time...the third time. He is kind toward us. This word in the Greek means to be benevolent or one who is disposed to doing good. God is disposed to doing good to us and for us. We are talking about the Creator of the Universe ... disposed to doing good toward us. Wow!
Here is some more good news. God is not provoked towards us. That means he is not incited to anger towards us. No sir, He is not. He does not rejoice in our iniquities or shortcomings, but rejoices in truth; the truth that we are His children and that Jesus Christ Who IS Truth, dwells in us.
Finally, God's love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. The bible says there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. Nothing we did, nothing we didn't do....nothing can separate us from His love.
Once we understand the Love of God towards us, we can then display that love which dwells IN us. We don't have to work at loving others. We simply seek to know His love for us and then we are empowered to express that love, a genuine love towards others.
Good word, Jim!
ReplyDeleteOh, I am SO glad to see you back again, Jim! Another excellent post. A Christian author (whose name escapes me) speaks of how our God PURSUES us. Wow. What an incredible thought.
ReplyDeleteAs usual, Jim, you are clearly pointing to Christ. Thank you!!