Love Defined!

In this the love of God was made manifest (displayed) where we are concerned: in that God sent His Son, the only begotten or unique [Son], into the world so that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:9 AMPC

We may never understand who God is or how he works if we stand afar off. Knowledge and experience of God would only make sense when you have found God on a personal and relational level. Forget what people say about God; who is He to you as a person?

Of course, my knowledge and experience of God would also reveal how I understand his love. It is the way of the world to love someone else, simply because there is an advantage or benefit to be derived, or because the person had done something big for you in the past. But for God, he didn't wait for value or consideration to be given by us; he simply offered it to us himself. He didn't wait for us to qualify for his love; his love was offered full and free and without limitations to ALL men, thereby qualifying us for eternal life, if we accept His love.

Love without sacrifice would carry no weight. Love that didn't demand a denial of self and profit for the sake of other people may not be regarded as love. Same applies with God. He didn't just claim to love us; he showed it by example. He didn't demand our lives from us, without first giving up his own so we could truly and freely and willingly surrender our own lives to Him. Surrender to God says I acknowledge that I cannot make it on my own, but with your help, I will. Surrender to God is an admission that God alone is the One who can admit us to the place of eternal rest, as he has promised.

I could claim by voice that I love God, but my life's daily investment will show if indeed what I have is love. I could gain the whole world and all its benefits, but if I do not experience God's original idea of love, then I have indeed gained nothing. His time of favour is here.