As we have entered into the love month, I thought it would be altogether fitting to discuss the one and only Person Who is completely and entirely Love.

Before we dive into this topic together, I invite you to take a brief moment to consider those amazing individuals who are presently or have in the past served as role models for you in regards to love.

Now pause for an additional moment in quiet reflection, allowing thoughts, images and memories to fill your heart with gratitude.

Like you, I am truly grateful for loving relationships with family and friends, and for acquaintances and even strangers that have intentionally shown me love.

At the same time, I am keenly aware that even the most loving people will always be limited by nature of their humanity. This means that no one person is going to get it right all of the time, and at some point we will all find ourselves feeling let down, disillusioned and disheartened. That’s the sobering news.

However, this realization only serves in pointing us to the matchless, perfect love, found only in the Person of Love, Who is God.

God is Love.
1 John 4:8 (NLT)

This scripture was recorded by John the Beloved, or in his own words, the disciple that Jesus loved. It’s interesting to note that this description was not a privileged title bestowed upon the apostle. Rather, this was the way John viewed himself, as loved, chosen and favored. And his perspective was not self-serving or prideful. John simply believed the following to be true: God is Love, and therefore God loves me.

And this was the message he proclaimed…

See what an incredible quality of love the Father has shown to us, that we would [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are!
1 John 3:1 (AMP)

Included in this beautiful verse is a personal invitation for all, to experience and know God’s love. And God’s love is not hidden, rather it’s clearly visible for all to see.

In light of this, I’ve composed a list of the top four personal ways I experience God, Who is Love, on a daily basis.

First
Through the Holy Spirit

For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Romans 5:5 (NLT)

What a wonderful assurance! This verse reminds me that we can know for certain that God loves us. And this knowledge is not based on subjective feelings, limited perspectives, or personal circumstances, but rather by the Spirit of God residing inside of us.

Next
Through Holy Scripture

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…
Hebrews 1:1-2 (NIV)

Jesus is the Word. He has, and always will be the Word. He was the Word in creation, the Word made flesh, and He is the Word that continues to speak through the revelation of Scripture.

This means when we read God’s Word we experience His love, because Jesus, Who is the Logos of God, is Love.

The Father Who is Love, sent His Son because of love, to reveal truth, (The Word), and demonstrate grace, (His Love)

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 (NIV)

Continuing
Through Creation

The earth is filled with your love, Lord….
Psalms 119:64 (NIV)

Everything God made, He made with love because He is Love. The sun, moon, sky, stars, mountains, valleys, oceans, deserts, birds of the sky, fish in the sea, animals great and small, the Lord God made them all!

And if that weren’t enough, on the seventh and final day of creation, He displayed His finest craftsmanship by creating human beings in His image and filling them with the breath of life.

God confidently declared everything He made was good, but most notably He deemed the creation of mankind as very good.

When I ponder the creativity, power, thought and care demonstrated in creation, I am humbled and filled with gratitude for God, Who is Love.

And Finally
Through Others

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
1 John 4:12 (NIV)

God’s plan since the beginning was to have people working together. He made Adam a helpmate; He declared two as better than one. He said that two could accomplish significantly more than one. His Word is overflowing with exhortations to live in unity and harmony with one another.

Countless times throughout my Christian journey, I have experienced God Who is Love, through the love of others. A kind word, a sacrificial gesture, a helpful hand, a warm embrace, encouragement, or a shoulder to cry on. These compassionate gestures and kind actions are all the initiative of God, Who is actively at work through His people making His love visible and tangible.

I am overwhelmingly grateful for the people that God has used and continues to use as conduits of His grace in my life, reminding me that God indeed is Love, and that He loves me.

In closing, I believe intentional times of reflection are good for the soul, causing us to remember Who God truly is, and most significantly Who He is to us personally.

He is God! He is a God of goodness, mercy, compassion, kindness, justice, strength and power, and He is the One and Only God Who is Love.

And love isn’t simply an action of God, rather it’s the heart of God. Love isn’t something God does, it’s Who He is.

God is Love, and He wants us to know Him as the God of love, live by the power of His love, and extend His love to others.

God bless you my friends!

The God Who is Love, loves you!

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
1 John 4:16 (NIV)

Extend grace to others! If you’ve been encouraged, strengthened, or edified by this week’s post, please consider sharing Grace Notes For You with a friend.

For Reflection

  • How did you come to the knowledge that God is Love?
  • What words or phrases would you use to define God’s love?
  • How would you describe God’s love for you?
  • In what ways is God’s love uniquely set apart from human love?
  • What practical steps will you take in sharing the God Who is Love with others?
  • Close in a prayer of gratitude to the God Who is Love