1 John 4:9–10
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
The Eternal Nature of God’s Love
God’s love is not an emotion that rises and falls; it is His very nature. Scripture declares, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). This means that everything He does—every command, every promise, every act of discipline, and every expression of mercy—flows from His perfect character. His love does not begin in time; it is rooted in eternity. Before we existed, before the world was formed, God had already purposed to love a redeemed people in Christ (Ephesians 1:4–5).
This love is unchanging. Human affection can weaken or disappear, but divine love is anchored in God’s faithfulness. “I am the LORD, I change not” (Malachi 3:6). Because God’s character is constant, His love is secure, steadfast, and incapable of failure.
God’s Love Revealed in Christ
The greatest revelation of God’s love is the giving of His Son. 1 John 4:9–10 makes this clear: love is defined not by our attempts to reach God but by God’s initiative to reach us through Christ. The cross is the centerpiece of divine love. It shows us:
A sacrificial love
God gave what was most precious—His only begotten Son. This was not done reluctantly but willingly. Jesus “gave Himself for our sins” (Galatians 1:4). Love is measured by what it is willing to give, and God held nothing back.
A substitutionary love
Jesus became the propitiation—the atoning sacrifice—standing in our place, bearing our guilt, absorbing the wrath we deserved. Love is not merely sentiment; it is action rooted in holiness. God’s love refuses to ignore sin, yet chooses to redeem sinners.
A life-giving love
Christ died so that we might live. His resurrection proclaims that God’s love is stronger than death, more powerful than sin, and victorious over the grave. Through Christ we receive new life, new identity, and new purpose.
God’s Love Displayed in His Fatherly Care
The love of God is not only shown in salvation—it is shown in daily grace. Scripture reveals Him as a Father who cares deeply for His children:
He provides for us
Jesus taught that the Father numbers the hairs of our head and watches over our daily needs (Matthew 6:25–32). No detail of our life is unnoticed.
He disciplines us
Hebrews 12:6 reminds us that God’s loving discipline is evidence of our sonship. His correction is not punitive—it is restorative. A loving Father refuses to let His children wander toward destruction.
He comforts us
God is “the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). His love meets us in grief, strengthens us in weakness, and upholds us in weariness.
He remains faithful
Even when we fail, God is faithful. “If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful” (2 Timothy 2:13). His love does not depend on our perfection but on His covenant.
God’s Love and Our Calling
The love of God is not meant to be merely admired—it is meant to transform. Those who are loved by God are called to:
Walk in love
“Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us” (Ephesians 5:2). Divine love becomes the pattern for Christian living.
Love one another
Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). A loveless Christian is a contradiction of the Gospel.
Stand firm in truth
God’s love is inseparable from His truth. True love does not compromise righteousness; it points others to Christ.
Look for the Blessed Hope
God’s love pushes our eyes toward prophecy and the coming return of Christ. Jude 21 commands believers to keep themselves “in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” God’s love both secures our salvation and directs our anticipation of Christ’s appearing.
Conclusion
God’s love for us is infinite, sacrificial, fatherly, and transforming. It is revealed in the eternal plan of redemption, manifested in Christ’s atoning death, experienced through the Spirit’s daily work, and completed when we see Christ at His return. This love is not shallow sentiment but holy affection rooted in truth, righteousness, and divine purpose. To understand God’s love is to understand the heart of the Gospel. To receive God’s love is to be forever changed. And to walk in God’s love is to shine as lights in a dark and desperate world, proclaiming the mercy and grace of our Redeemer.