The Love Of God - Part 4

The Love Of God - Part 4

In the first letter of John, in chapter 4, we get an incredible discourse on what love means and how it affects you and me. Then, in verse 8, John says something that completely changes the way you and I looked at love.

1 John 4:8

“The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

Now, there is more to that verse but let’s just stop right here and marvel at what the Bible is saying. We know that God has many qualities. He is good, He is merciful, He is kind, He is truthful … there are a lot of characteristics like that about God. But look closely at what John said. He isn’t saying God is just loving.

If we say God is good, we understand that to mean that God does good things. If we say that He is truthful, then we recognize that God is reliably honest. If He is loving, then He values love a great deal.

But, what if instead of say that God is good, we say the He is goodness? Do you see the difference? He’s not just a good being, He is the source of all goodness. That means that you can’t be good unless you know God that way.

It’s the same way with truth. If we say God is Truth, instead of just being truthful, it changes the meaning entirely. You cannot know truth without knowing God.

So, what about God and love? Do you see what this means? The ramifications are mind-blowing. If God is love, He is the source of love. Real love is impossible without Him. You cannot have a clear and true understanding of real love without knowing God.

You see, the Christian isn’t any better at love than anyone else. What makes the Christian different is that we have God’s love in us. God places His love in our hearts. Romans 5:5 tells us that “the love of God has been poured out within our hearts.”

That allows you and I to literally have the love of God dwelling in us. That’s what makes the difference. It’s not our love at all. We are connected to the source of love.

God is love. You cannot truly love until you know Him and His love.