In a human sense, love is hard to define. For some, it’s a feeling, evoking warmth, friendship, and intimacy with another person. But for God, love transcends human limitations. His love is shown through compassionate understanding, deep intimacy, and an irrevocable promise: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6-8)
I don’t think many of us are capable of such a love. Imagine for one moment if someone you dearly loved rejected you, hurled insults at you, or simply forgot your existence for years. Would your love for them burn as bright? But God’s love doesn’t waver. It endures through rejection, pain, and silence—and still chooses us. In His love for us, He came down to earth as Jesus Christ to die for our sins: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
God doesn’t give up on us, so why should we give up on ourselves? Or others, for that matter?
I know it’s hard to believe that love can manifest in your life. “I’m imperfect,” you might say. Well, join the club. Aren’t we all? God’s love doesn’t condemn—it redeems. In fact, out of his love and mercy He died on the cross for you. Walking with God requires courage, but you’ll never doubt his enduring promise: “I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:4)
I am amazed at a love that can withstand seasons and bring about great growth in people’s lives.
Below, I would like to describe what God’s love means for you and what it means for others. As Christians, we are called to walk with God and walk with each other in love. We look to Jesus Christ for wisdom, truth, and knowledge, for He was—and is—the perfect embodiment of God’s love on earth: fully God, fully human, the Word made flesh.
How God Defines Love
“We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
God is unwavering in His love for us. He stands with us, persevering alongside us in the trials that affect our lives. To God, love is a promise. Like the wedding vow, “through sickness and in health,” God stands strong through rainbows and storms. The one verse that comes to my mind is 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, which paints a beautiful picture on what being loved by God, and loving others, truly looks like.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
God’s character shines through in the Chronicles of Narnia.
Source: Pinterest
God’s love never fails. I’ll say that again. It never fails. Not when you’re tired, not when you’ve let yourself down, not when you come back crying to Him, aware of the frailty of your human nature. Humans can be fickle. We change. Our actions often mirror our desires more than our convictions. We struggle to put others first. We often ask, “What’s in it for me?” But the amazing truth is this: God looks at us and says, “I died for you, my beloved child. I love you. Will you follow My ways?”
God’s love is a gift—freely given, not earned. All we need to do is repent of our sins, reach out in faith, and fully believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The beauty of grace is this: it’s not about deserving—it’s about receiving. So shake off the heavy weight of ‘Have I earned it?’ Or worse, ‘I don’t deserve it.’” And know, in your heart, that God says to you, clear as day: “The mountains and hills may crumble, but my love for you will never end; I will keep forever my promise of peace.” (Isaiah 54:10)
Reminder
Source: Pinterest
God Wants You to Love Others As He Loves You
What a simple task, right? That’s sarcasm for my internet friends. Of course, love isn’t easy. Love always comes with obstacles we must overcome. We are called to love those we hate. To love those who mistreat us, who dislike us, or who simply don’t care for us. And we are called to love others when we ourselves are burnt out. Tired, exhausted, frail, from our long days at work, our busy lives, and our endless list of to-do’s. God understands this, and that is why he doesn’t expect perfection. Nevertheless, He does expect you to try.
When Jesus Christ walked on earth, he often repeated the same commandment: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
In the Book of Matthew, we hear a similar message: “’You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. ‘ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)
Sit with this today. Ask yourself: how can I better love those around me? How can I serve them? What would it look like for me to take the back seat in order for another person to shine?
God loves you, and you will always shine for him, for you bear His image. You will always be special, unique, and interesting, captivating His attention. So for your love of Him, give of your time, attention, and willpower in the same way as Him. Love others, as He loves you.
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