Most Christians would say God loves them; but for many, what that means to them, doesn’t always line up with scripture. To understand the love of God, you must first understand God’s nature, character and then His will toward humanity. So let’s first look at the nature and character of God, and then His eternal will for us.
The dictionary defines ‘nature’ as the innate or essential qualities or character of a person.
The nature of a person does not change. These characteristics are inborn, inherent to who he is. So First, we must understand The NATURE of God and that God’s nature does NOT change. So who He is by nature is who He is to every person. This is not to say every person receives from God the same. But that is not because God picks and chooses, but because it is up to each individual to cooperate with God. And anyone who does, receives.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
God’s nature stays the same. He has provided salvation to the whole world and gives it to everyone who comes to Him in faith.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from above, from the Father of lights, with whom is no variation nor shadow of turning.
Romans 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
What is the nature of God?
God is love. God doesn’t just love us, He is love. Therefore out of the very essence of who God is, will always be an expression of love. There is no darkness or association with darkness in God’s nature.
1 John 4:8 “…God is love”
1 John 1:5 this is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
What is the character of God?
Jesus demonstrated God’s character during His earthly ministry. Jesus is the exact likeness of God in His nature, character and will. So when we see Jesus, the son, we see God the Father.
Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Hebrews 1:1-3 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son….who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person…”
John 14:7,9 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him…Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”
In 1 Corinthians 13, The Apostle Paul gave us a description of love. Though it is used to let us know how we are to demonstrate love to one another, it is first and foremost the description of love Himself. And as a result of receiving His love, we can love Him and others in the same way.
1 John 4:19 We love because He first loved us.
How does God loved you?
I can’t include the entirety of the passage; however, here are just a few of the characteristics of love:
Vs. 4: Love is patient, love is kind.
Vs. 5: It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Vs. 6: Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Vs. 7: It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Vs. 8: Love never fails.
1 John 4:9 This is how God's love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.
1 John 4:10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
How does God love you? God only gives good things
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from above, from the Father of lights, with whom is no variation nor shadow of turning.
God’s eternal will for us
What does eternal mean? The dictionary defines it as lasting or existing forever; without end or beginning. God’s plans for humanity have always been the same and will always be. Even when mankind chose to rebel, God already had a plan (in Jesus) to redeem us, save us, and bring us back into His good plans for us. Through Jesus, He has given us eternal life. This is how He loves us!
1 John 5:11 And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Through Jesus, we have Salvation. The original word for salvation in the Greek is Soteria. and means welfare, prosperity, deliverance, preservation, salvation, safety, health, rescue and save as the present possession of the believer.
Romans 8:32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
- He has delivered us out of the authority of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of His dear son. (Colossians 1:13)
- He has given us great and precious promises that through these we are partakers of His divine nature. (2 Peter 1:4)
- He gave us the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22)
- He gave us everything that pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3)
- With every temptation or test He has provided a way out. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
- He has given us eternal life; an intimate personal relationship with Him. (John 17:3)
- He has given us wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30)
- He has made us pure, holy, and free from sin (1 Corinthians 1:30)
- He has given us His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21)
- He has given us an abundant life (John 10:10)
- His loving kindness is better than life (Psalm 63:3)
- His mercy is new every morning (Lamentations 3:23)
- He has given us physical healing (1 Peter 2:24)
- He has given us a spirit of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)
- He is faithful and just (1 John 1:9)
These are just a few of the expressions of God’s love toward us. There are many more! Take God at His Word and receive His love, praise God!