The Love of God

What is the love of God? How do we define it?

• Human love is generally a response to the circumstances around us.

• We love because someone pleases us or because they’re good looking or because they make us feel good.

• By contrast, God loves us because that’s the kind of God He is.

 

GOD’S LOVE IS UNMERITED FAVOR

Romans 5:6-8

6When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

 

GOD’S LOVE IS UNCONDITIONAL

Romans 5:7-8

7Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

 

GOD’S LOVE IS GREAT

Ephesians 2:1-5

1Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. 4But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much,” 5that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

 

GOD’S LOVE IS INFINITE

Ephesians 3:16-19

16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.” 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”

 

GOD’S LOVE IS SACRIFICIAL

John 3:16

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

 

Paul said “Nothing can separate us from the Love of God.”

Circumstances cannot separate us from the Love Christ

Romans 8:35-36

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” )

Psalm 44:22

But for your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.

Trouble          
Calamity         
Persecution     
Hunger
Destitute         
Danger
Death    

Romans 8:37

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

No Powers can separate us from the Love of Christ

Romans 8:38-39
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jeremiah 31:3
Long ago the LORD said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.