God’s Love

The basic needs of human beings are food, clothing and shelter. In this current era, emotional needs also play a pivotal role in the development of a person. Although not formally listed down, social acceptance, respect and love can be considered as vital needs in the upbringing of each individual. Love is important for mental and psychological well-being, which also has an impact on physical health. Love is the language which has no boundaries and is understood across the globe irrespective of race, colour, gender and religion. So, there is no wonder why God chose everlasting love as his language to talk to his children.

The ancient Greeks defined three basic forms of love :

• Eros: It is passionate, romantic love driven by desire and attraction. It encompasses physical and emotional intimacy, often associated with longing, affection, and sensual connection between partners.
• Philos: It is deep friendship or brotherly love, characterized by mutual respect, loyalty and shared values. It emphasizes companionship, emotional support and the bond between close friends.
• Agape: This is an unconditional love regardless of the relationship with the person. It is selfless, unconditional love, often described as the highest form of love, emphasizing compassion, sacrifice and caring for others without expecting anything in return.

The love exhibited by God is Agape. God created us and we are his children. He loves us unconditionally. The love of God is not based on what we do or how good we are. HE loves us because of who HE is and not for what we are. There is nothing that we can do to neither gain his love, nor to lose his love. The only question is whether this love is accepted. It is due to this love that Jesus came down to this earth and sacrificed himself on the cross for our sins.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

God does not want us to perish, but death entered the world through sin. Sin entered the world when the desire to be like God was injected into man – the consequence of taking advice from the wrong person. Ever since, anyone born into this world has a sinful nature. It is this nature that makes a person commit sin. In ancient times, animals were sacrificed when someone did anything wrong. But the blood of animals could not atone for the sinful nature of man. The merciful God had compassion and he sent his son to be the sacrifice for our sins. As per the holy scriptures, this was a perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 10:14). He died on the cross not only for the sins that we committed, but also for the ones that we will commit when we live in this sinful world. How was it possible for him to be a perfect sacrifice? It’s because he did not commit any sin, since he was not born from a man. Hence, he didn’t have a sinful nature. But, Jesus became sin or rather he was made sin for us. It was this sin that was taken to the cross. There is no sin that can outweigh God’s love.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21

It was not only the sins of human beings, but also the sinful nature that was crucified. In other words, accepting that he died on the cross for our sins is a rejection of the sinful nature. This means that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ, accepting him as Lord and saviour will be able to have everlasting life through him. Accepting him into your life is a step forward after becoming a good friend of God. It is still not too late to accept his love.

In this selfish world, we love only people who are useful for us or do good to us. The affection or care that is demonstrated to someone is based on their behaviour towards us. This is not true love. Jesus said “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27-28). This is Godly love, and Jesus demonstrated it during his mortal life. He was hated for his good deeds, he was mistreated, spitted upon, betrayed by his disciples, abandoned by his loved ones. Still he was not resented by their behaviour, but interceded for them even on the cross. He wanted the wrong deeds of the people who hurt him to be forgiven. This is the love that was demonstrated by Jesus. He died for us when we were sinners and hated him. He has left a perfect example for us to follow. We should love one another as he showed us.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

Let us take some time and ponder on the wonderful blessings that God has given in our lives. Let us thank him for all the love that he has shown us. Although he loves us, he never forces himself upon us. We have the free will to either choose his love or to be in darkness. This is the reason why in the garden of Eden, there were both the trees of life and death. It was left to Adam and Eve to choose between those. Some doubt why God created the tree of death; if it did not exist in the first place, Adam & Eve would not have eaten it. It is because God does not force us to obey him, but obedience is what he wants for his children. The absence of light causes darkness, hence darkness does not need to be explicitly invited anywhere. In the same way, evil is always present where God is not present.

God loves you, nobody has to be embarrassed to present oneself into his presence. HE is our loving father, good friend, our caretaker, a strong tower during hurricanes and HE is above all our needs. HE is waiting to fellowship with us, and if we open the doors of our heart he will dwell within us. It is our choice to accept or reject his love. God is waiting.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

Revelation 3:20