If you move in Christian circles, you’ve probably heard the saying “God is Love”. Understanding the meaning of this scripture from 1 John 4:8 is the foundation of our faith. So, in this devotional, we’ll unpack the powerful message within it about the nature of God and the importance of love in our lives.
At its core, 1 John 4:8 is a reminder that Biblical love is not just an attribute of God, but it is the very essence of who God is. That means everything God does is motivated by this one little word love.
Whether He’s creating the world, sending His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ to die for our sins, or simply listening to our prayers, God’s actions are always rooted in love. And as Christians, we are called to reflect His love in our own lives, both by loving God and by loving others.
What is the meaning of God is love in 1 John 4:8?
The divine love of God is the message of 1 John 4:8. And once we understand the circumstances surrounding this encouraging Bible verse about love, we’ll see God’s nature on display in our lives.
In the first of the epistles of John, the apostle makes a bold statement about God’s great love.
He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1 John 4:8 New King James Version
This verse clearly tells us that love isn’t just something that God does, it’s who He is. Love is one of the attributes of God, and it’s a central part of His divine nature.
And we as believers, being saved by the grace of God through the loving sacrifice of Jesus and being filled with the Holy Spirit know God personally and intimately. And since we do, we should instinctually reflect Christian love to other people. Because it’s what we’re meant to do as followers of Christ.
By understanding 1 John 4:8 we see that ultimately, God is the source of all love. And His love is a complex and multifaceted concept that is expressed in many ways throughout the Bible.
So, as you study God’s Word and seek to know Him more deeply, I pray that the meaning of 1 John 4:8 will fill you with His love and inspire you to love others as He has loved you.
Implications of God’s Love for Our Lives
What does it mean for us that God is love? It means that we can trust Him, rely on Him, and turn to Him in times of need. It means that we can experience His love in our lives and share that love with others. It also means that we are called to love others as God loves us.
Because when we love others, we are displaying the character of God to the world. As John writes in 1 John 4:12, “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” This verse tells us that when we love others, we are showing the world what God’s love looks like.
In addition to loving others, we are also called to love God. In 1 John 4:19, John writes, “We love because he first loved us.” This verse is probably the most important aspect of God’s love. It reminds us that our love for God is a response to His love for us. When we understand how much God loves us, it changes the way we live our lives.
So, as you seek to follow God and live your life in a way that honors Him, remember that love is at the very center of His nature, and it should be at the center of your life as well.
How does God show His love for us?
The nature of God’s love is an essential part of who He is. And He shows us His love in so many different ways throughout the Holy Bible. Let’s take a look at some of them and discover how they influence our daily lives.
Unconditional Love
One of the most significant aspects of God’s love is that it’s unconditional. God loves you no matter what you’ve done or who you are. His love is not based on your performance or your worthiness. Instead, it’s based on His character and His desire to love you.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Psalm 136:1 ESV
And the New International Version uses different words to describe God’s unconditional love.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV
Discover more in these Heartfelt Bible Verses about Love!
Sacrificial Love
God’s love is also sacrificial. This kind of love is called agape love in the New Testament. And it’s demonstrated most clearly in the story of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, who gave His life as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
In the Old Testament, a blood sacrifice of a lamb atoned for sin. Bu that al changed when Jesus came to earth to pay the price for humanity’s sin. His sacrifice was the ultimate expression of God’s true love for us, and it shows us just how far God is willing to go to demonstrate His love.
For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 Christian Standard Bible
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:13 NIV
And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.
1 John 4:14 NKJV
Brotherly Love
Another aspect of God’s love is brotherly love. When we love one another, we are demonstrating our love for God. Brotherly love is an essential part of the Christian life, and it is something that we should all strive to cultivate.
And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
1 John 4:16 NKJV
Have you ever wondered… Why Should We Love One Another? Find out in this Bible Study.
The Commandment to Love
Finally, we see that God’s love is expressed through Jesus’ commandment to love one another. This commandment to love is not optional for Christians. It’s a fundamental part of what it means to follow Jesus, and it’s something that we should all take seriously as we seek to live a life that shows the world the love of Jesus.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35 NKJV
Bible Verse Art from Master’s Hand Collection
Why does God love us so much?
As human beings it’s sometimes difficult to comprehend the vastness of God, who He is, and how much He loves us. But we are children of God and His creation. He loves us simply because He is love.
I pray through the knowledge of God we’ve gained in this devotional, we’ll see the depth of His character and the strength of His unfailing love.
Let’s read the entire passage of 1 John 4:8-10. Because in it we see the love of God on full display.
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:8-10 English Standard Version
God’s Perfect Love
There’s something very interesting about God’s love. It’s perfect. And we don’t find many perfect things in life.
The Apostle John reminded us that we don’t have any reason to fear the judgement of God. Once we believe in His Son, we’re free from fear, shame, and sin, all because of God’s perfect love.
By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18 NIV
Living in God’s Love
As believers, we experience the love of God in our daily lives. We know that God is love, and we’ve come to know Him through His love. This love is not just a feeling or an emotion, but it’s an attribute of God that is holy and true. It’s a love that is sacrificial and unconditional, and it’s available to us every day.
These Bible Verses about Loving Your Neighbor will help your relationships flourish!
Loving Others
One of the ways that you can live in God’s love is by loving others, both fellow believers and the unsaved. When you love others, you are showing them God’s love through your actions. You are also obeying God’s commandment to love your neighbor as yourself.
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:7 NIV
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
Forgiveness
Another way to live in God’s love is by practicing forgiveness.
Our human relationships are different from the bond we share with God. His love is unconditional, but human love has limitations. Sometimes, we hurt each other, but holding on to bitterness isn’t God’s plan for us.
Forgiveness may not always be easy, but it’s necessary if we want to experience the fullness of God’s love in our lives.
When we forgive others for the pain they’ve caused us, we’re releasing them from the debt they owe us, just like God has released us from the debt of our sins through the sacrifice of the Son of God, Christ Jesus.
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
Discover God’s Unconditional Love in this devotional!
What is the power of God’s love?
Finally, living in God’s love means understanding the power of godly love. 1 Corinthians 13 is known as the “Love Chapter”. In this amazing passage of scripture, we learn the attributes of love and the power it has to transform our lives. Each of these attributes are the very image of God’s love for us and the characteristics we should display as Christians within our own relationships.
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.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV
When you live in God’s love, you experience the essential nature of who He is His is a love that is patient, kind, and forgiving. And a love that never fails and always perseveres no matter what may come your way. You can depend on God to be with you every step of the way and rely on Him to hold you in His loving embrace.
So, as you abide in the love of God and continue to follow His commandments, I pray the truth of 1 John 4:8 encourages your heart and helps you to know that God is love in every moment of your life.
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