January 9: God Is Love
1 John 4:8 (ESV)
“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
The Profound Reality of God’s Love
Imagine standing on a beach at sunrise, watching waves stretch endlessly to the horizon. Each wave, though distinct, is part of a boundless ocean—a fitting metaphor for God’s love. It is vast, unending, and washes over every inch of our lives. Yet, unlike the ocean, which ebbs and flows, God’s love remains constant, never receding.
Why does this matter? Because we live in a world that often conditions love on performance or merit. Many of us carry wounds from relationships where love was withheld, manipulated, or conditional. But today’s Scripture reminds us of an unshakable truth: God is love. Not just loving, not merely a source of love—but the very essence and definition of love itself.
Understanding the Nature of God’s Love
In 1 John 4:8, the apostle John connects our understanding of love directly to our knowledge of God. The Greek word for love here is agapē—a selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love that seeks the good of others without expecting anything in return. This is the love that defines God’s character.
To grasp this fully, consider the context of 1 John 4. The early church faced false teachings that distorted God’s nature. John’s emphatic declaration—“God is love”—was both a theological corrective and a pastoral comfort. It reminded believers then, as it reminds us now, that God’s love is not fickle or transactional. It is eternal and unchanging.
God’s love is beautifully illustrated throughout Scripture:
In creation, He lovingly formed humanity in His image, crafting us for relationship with Him (Genesis 1:27).
In redemption, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us “while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8).
In sanctification, He patiently transforms us into the image of Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18).
The Transformative Power of God’s Love
When we experience God’s love, it changes us. Love is no longer something we merely receive; it becomes the lens through which we see the world. John continues in 1 John 4:19, saying, “We love because he first loved us.” His love becomes the source and standard of our relationships.
Consider the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. The younger son demands his inheritance, squanders it, and returns home in shame. Yet the father runs to him, embraces him, and restores him to the family. This parable demonstrates agapē love—a love that pursues, forgives, and celebrates. It’s the kind of love God offers us, and the kind we are called to extend to others.
Here’s the tension: loving as God loves is not easy. It requires vulnerability, sacrifice, and grace. As a single father, I often see this in my relationship with my kids. There are days when their frustrations test my patience, and my instinct is to react harshly. But in those moments, I hear the whisper of God’s love: “Be merciful, as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). Choosing love over frustration isn’t about being permissive; it’s about reflecting the Father’s heart.
Living Out God’s Love
How can we live out this divine love in a world that so often misunderstands it? Here are three practical steps:
Abide in God’s Love Jesus invites us to “abide in my love” (John 15:9). To abide means to dwell, to remain. This involves daily communion with God through prayer, Scripture, and worship. As we immerse ourselves in His love, it overflows into every aspect of our lives.
Action Step: Start each day by reflecting on God’s love for you. Write down one way you’ve seen His love demonstrated recently, and thank Him for it.
Reflect God’s Love to Others John challenges us: “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11). This includes our families, friends, neighbors, and even those who are difficult to love.
Action Step: Identify one person you struggle to love and ask God to help you see them through His eyes. Look for a tangible way to demonstrate love to them this week.
Rest in God’s Love The world’s version of love often demands performance or perfection, but God’s love invites us to rest. Romans 8:38-39 assures us that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
Action Step: Take a Sabbath moment this week—a time to pause, breathe, and meditate on the security of God’s love.
The Eternal Invitation
Imagine for a moment the voice of God speaking directly to you: “My child, I love you—not because of what you’ve done or failed to do, but because you are Mine.” That’s the heart of today’s Scripture. God’s love is the bedrock of our identity, the source of our hope, and the power that sustains us.
When you grasp this truth, it changes everything. You are no longer defined by past mistakes, societal standards, or even self-imposed expectations. You are defined by the love of a God who knows you fully and loves you deeply.
Join the FaithLabz 30-Day Prayer Challenge to deepen your connection with God and grow in the knowledge of His holiness. Discover resources to help you live a life that honors Him.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unchanging and unconditional love. Help us to abide in that love, to reflect it to others, and to rest in its truth. When we feel unworthy or unloved, remind us that Your love is not based on our performance but on Your character. Teach us to love as You love, so that the world may see You through us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you have made it this far, then YOU ROCK!
Here’s a free 30-day Prayer Challenge to get you started and today’s song! Much love and God bless you, my friend!
