“Love is foundational for all divine attributes.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – February 3, 2025
God is love. 1 John 4:8
When we say that God is the source of love, all true love originates from Him. Love isn’t just something God does; it’s who He is. Every expression of genuine love—kindness, compassion, forgiveness—flows from His nature. Unlike human love, which can be conditional or flawed, God’s love is perfect, unchanging, and boundless. As the source, God shows us how to love and enables us to love others. His love fills us, transforms us, and overflows into our relationships. We reflect His love when we stay connected to Him by abiding in His love. We wouldn’t know or experience real love without God. The laptop I am writing on in real-time has a battery as a temporary source to lighten my screen and empower my word processing. In a matter of a few hours, it will be necessary for me to plug my computer into a power source to continue my work. The power source of my laptop depends on my plugging; similarly, by faith, we plug into God, the source of love. My love efforts are powerless without the Lord’s electrifying divine power.
It is important to distinguish between God’s love and human love. C.S. Lewis defines the Lord’s love as Gift Love versus Need Love. In The Four Loves, Lewis describes God’s love as the ultimate “Gift-love,” self-sufficient and desiring to give abundantly. He states, “In God, there is no hunger that needs to be filled, only plenteousness that desires to give.” His love is a gift to His beloved. Human love is needy, but God’s love meets our needs. His love is a gracious plenty.
A.W. Tozer, a renowned Christian theologian and author, offered keen insights into the nature of God’s love. In his book The Knowledge of the Holy, he emphasized that while “God is love,” this attribute should not overshadow His other qualities. Tozer cautioned against equating love with God, stating that such a view can lead to misunderstandings about His nature. He wrote, “Equating love with God is a major mistake which has produced much unsound religious philosophy. Think of God’s love as the central thread in a beautifully woven tapestry. Each divine attribute—holiness, justice, mercy, grace, and sovereignty—is intricately intertwined with His love, making the whole picture complete.” Love is foundational for all divine attributes.
For example, imagine a loving parent disciplining her child. The act of discipline might seem severe, but it’s grounded in love because the parent desires what’s best for the child. Similarly, God’s holiness and justice ensure He addresses sin, but His love offers mercy and grace through Jesus. His sovereignty guarantees His plans for us are good (Jeremiah 29:11), and His love assures us He walks with us every step of the way. Without God’s love, these attributes could feel distant or harsh. Instead, they work together to reveal a God who is both just and compassionate, perfectly blending truth and grace. His love makes His justice fair, His mercy tender, and His sovereignty trustworthy. How can we make God’s love foundational for us?
We know God’s love is foundational when we experience it deeply through Jesus’ sacrifice (1 John 4:9). His love is unchanging, unconditional, and life-giving. Daily prayer and Scripture strengthen our understanding of His love. We must first embrace it personally, experiencing divine intimacy to live it out. As His love transforms us, we reflect it in how we treat others—showing kindness, forgiveness, and compassion. God’s love becomes the foundation for our actions, relationships, and purpose, enabling us to share His compassion with a world in need.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for being the very essence of love. Fill my heart with Your unconditional love, so I may reflect it to others and glorify You in all I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Application
How do you experience the love of your heavenly Father for you?
Related Reading
John 13:34-35’ Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Ephesians 5:1-2
Worship Resource
Leeland & Taya: Heart & Flesh
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