The Love of God
The Bible has much to say regarding the love of God. Reflecting on God’s wonderful love should cause all to have a deeper appreciation for His love and inspire us to greater heights of faithfulness. Consider the following points regarding God’s love:
1. God’s love is unbounded. The Lord’s apostle John wrote, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). God loves the world, all nations and races included. His love is not limited to any class of people. Consequently, Jesus tasted death for “every man” (Hebrews 2:9). No one in the whole world is beyond the scope of God’s love.
2. God’s love is unconditional. Paul wrote concerning God’s love: “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly…But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-8). These passages reveal that God’s amazing love is not limited to those who do His will; rather, God loves the “ungodly” and “sinners” (Romans 5:6, 8). God loves murderers, thieves, rapists, adulterers and drunkards. God’s love is not mitigated by man’s choice to live in sin.
However, God’s “unconditional” love should not be interpreted to mean that His love will unconditionally “save” all sinners. Rather, it simply means that man does not earn God’s love. Sinners will go to hell unsaved, but not unloved. God loves all—including vile sinners.
3. God’s love is unrequited. Jesus warned, “But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you” (John 5:42). Jesus affirmed that some of his day actually hated God: “He that hateth me hateth my Father also” (John 15:23). Paul also described some as “haters of God” (Romans 1:30). Each of these passages reveals the sad truth that God’s love is often unreturned. How sad it is that God chose to freely bestow His boundless, unconditional love upon His creation. Yet, those created in His own image often do not love Him in return.
Those who truly love God are those who keep His commandments (I John 5:3). The claim, “I love God,” is a hollow, baseless falsehood, if the one making the claim does not strive to obey God and do His will.
We have every reason to love God. He loved us before we ever heard of Him. From all eternity, He planned for our salvation. He sent His Son to die for our sins; gave us the glorious gospel and, offers eternal life in the glory and bliss of heaven. No wonder John wrote, “We love him, because he first loved us” (I John 4:19).
