“This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.” – 1 John 4:9 (NIV)
God proclaims His love for us in the Bible three hundred and ten times, in two hundred and eighty Bible verses. Additionally, the word ‘Love’ is discovered One hundred and thirty-one times in the Old Testament and One hundred and seventy-nine in the New Testament (KJV).
It is clear in our Bibles that God is love. He isn’t just loving, but the very definition of love as clearly stated in 1 John 4:8 (NIV): “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” His affection is unconditional. He generates that love, and it endures forever (Psalm 136:1).
Jesus’ sacrifice is reason for us to know what true love is. In laying down His life for us, He taught us everything we need to know. His love is self-sacrificing, generous, unending, infinite, eternal, genuine, and supreme. God loves the world.
We know that God’s love is also undeserving (Titus 3:5). Our salvation is the product of God’s love and mercy. Therefore, Christian love means that we treat others the way God treats us, i.e., an act of love and not simply an emotion. He created us out of love for the purpose of sharing love.
Here are some Scriptures that demonstrate God’s love for us:
1. Romans 8:35-39 (NIV) – “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?…neither death nor life…”.
2. John 3:16-17 – Jesus gave His life for us. He did not condemn us.
3. Hosea 14:4 – God’s love never dies. He’s forever married to the backslider.
4. Hebrews 2:14 – His love conquered the power of death.
5. 1 Peter 4:8 – Love each other. It covers unrighteousness.
6. Romans 5:8 – While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
7. Jeremiah 31:3 – He loves us with an everlasting love.
8. 1 John 4:10 – Jesus was the propitiation for our sins.
9. 1 John 4:8 – He is simply love.
10. Zephaniah 3:17 – He takes great delight in us and is with us.
If you want to love others, look at God’s love and follow His example.
Read: Proverbs 10:12; Mark 1:11
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 18:7-15; Matthew 21:33-46; Matthew 22:1-14; Job 25; Job 26; Job 27; Job 28; Job 29
