~ UNDERSTANDING BIBLICAL LOVE [Emotion]
The first thought that comes to mind as I write this devotional on love as an emotion is GOD IS LOVE!
In our world, You would hear people say; “I love my coffee”, “I love that movie”, “I love my car”. I submit to you that the word “love” is thrown around to mean various things nowadays to the point that the true biblical meaning of love is lost in conversations and how God expects us to express love.
THE KEY CHARACTER OF GOD IS LOVE
We read in 1 John 4:7-8 AMP
Beloved, let us [unselfishly] love and seek the best for one another, for love is from God;
and everyone who loves [others] is born of God and knows God [through personal experience].
The one who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him].
For God is love. [He is the originator of love, and it is an enduring attribute of His nature.]”
What does the Bible mean that God is love?
How can we know that statement is true, and how does God show us that He is the very definition of love?
The Bible teaches us that God’s essence is love. This means that love defines who God is.
Everything God does is because of His love for us. The phrase “God is love” means that love is not just one of God’s attributes but is at the very core of His being.
Everything God does is motivated by love. This is seen throughout Scripture, from His creation of the world to the redemption offered through Jesus Christ.
For example, John 3:16 says that God sent His Son, Jesus, because He loves us so much.
Romans 5:8 tells us that Jesus died for us even when we were still sinners. This shows that God’s love is unconditional and forgiving. So, when we say “God is love,” we mean that His love is always there for us, no matter what.
What does this mean for Christians?
If we claim to know God but don’t show love in our actions, our claim is false.
Truly knowing God means that love will naturally flow from our behavior.
This isn’t just about understanding God in your head; it’s about having a deep, personal relationship with Him that transforms your actions and attitudes.
Love is the evidence of this relationship. It’s not just about feeling affectionate; it involves selfless, sacrificial actions for the good of others.
The apostle John emphasizes that this kind of love should be the very foundation of our Christian community. It should be evident in how we interact with each other and the world around us.
“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” (1 John 4:16)
“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
How is God “Love”?
Love began with God when he created the world and us. Without Him, there would be no love in the world because it came from Him.
God’s primary nature is to love, as shown by His rescue plan for us through His Son, Jesus Christ. The cross of Jesus is the greatest demonstration of God’s love for us.
God’s saving work of grace in the heart of the sinner is the true source of love. God sent his Holy Spirit to transform us and make us new in love.
God’s greatest commandment for us is to love the Lord and to love one another. God calls us to be the love in our world that He created us to be.
We find a biblical exposé of what love is, in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.
LOVE IS ACTION (IS A VERB)
LOVE EMBRACE.
.Patience (is patient).
.Kindness (is kind).
.Truth (rejoices with the truth).
.Resilience (bears all things).
.Faith (believes all things).
.Hope (hopes all things).
.Endurance (endures all things).
.Perseverance (never fails).
LOVE RESIST
.Envy (isn’t envious)
.Boasting (isn’t boastful)
.Arrogance (isn’t arrogant)
.Rudeness (isn’t rude)
.Selfishness (doesn’t insist on its own way)
.Anger (isn’t irritable)
.Resentment (isn’t resentful)
.Wrongdoing (doesn’t rejoice in wrongdoing)
(Ref: Bible Study Tools)
NOW LET US PRAY
Loving God, Father, thank You for the courageous love You’ve expressed to us through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank You for the patience, kindness, and perseverance You embrace us with each day. As we experience Your goodness in our lives, I pray You would also use us as instruments of goodness in the lives of others. Open our hearts and minds to ways we can demonstrate the love and compassion of Christ to those in our family, in our community, and around the world. In Jesus Christ’s matchless name we pray. Amen 
Have a blessed day
