In Christian theology, God’s love is referred to as “Agape” “Agape” refers to the selfless, unconditional love that God has for humanity.
Unconditional love simply means – love without strings attached. It’s love you offer freely whether someone deserves it or not. You don’t base it on what someone does for you in return.
You simply love people and want nothing more than their happiness.
This type of love is referred to as compassionate or agape love.
John 4:8 (KJV)
“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
John 3:16 (KJV)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”.
The 3 most important things to know and understand about God
- He loves all of us equally even though we may be in different situations.
- He does not validate his goodness or eternal love through the suffering, affliction, and the misfortune of others.
- Wealth and worldly success is not necessarily an indication of blessings from God neither does it measure the love of God to a person.
The difference between God’s love and Human love
- God’s Love is Unconditional:
God’s love is seen as boundless and perfect, extending to all people, regardless of their actions or beliefs.
- Human Love is Limited:
Human love for God is seen as limited by human imperfections and understanding.
The Bible emphasizes that God is love, and that love for God is the foundation of a Christian’s life and relationship with His divine nature.
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (The Greatest Gift)
“13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body [a]to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not [b]puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, [c]thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is [d]perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
In Christianity, “love for God” is the greatest commandment, encompassing all other commandments. It is a fundamental aspect of faith, involving a deep, personal relationship with God, characterized by reverence, adoration, and devotion.
Why does God want us to love Him and others.
- Love is the Foundation of Faith:
Galatians 5:6
The verse states, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love”.
2. Love is the Greatest Commandment:
Matthew 22:36-40
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
3. Loving God is a sign and proof of obedience to God:
John 14:12-18
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
How does one express God’s Love
- Through prayer, worship and being consistence in obedience to Him. Seeking to live a life that reflects God’s character.
- By seeking to know Him through His Word
Loving God often involves seeking to know Him through His Word, reading the Bible, and reflecting on His teachings.
- By loving Him and loving others
The Bible emphasizes that love for God is intertwined with love for others, as demonstrated in the second great commandment, “Love your neighbor as yourself”.