Day 5 - What is Love?

1 John 4:16-19 (NIV)

16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

19 We love because he first loved us.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Sometimes, it is hard to truly grasp the love of God.

In our modern world, love has many definitions. However, many of these definitions do not describe love at all. The love of this world often focuses on things that make us feel good or get us what we want.

The truth is, we do not get to define what love is because the Bible tells us that God is love.

God is the only one who can define love. His love is unconditional and true. It is kind, humble, honouring and others-focused. It is patient, longsuffering, truthful and persevering.

And so, if we want to begin to understand God’s love for us, we have to look to Him to know what that love truly looks like.

What have you defined love to be? Do you have expectations of God based on the definitions you have made? Take some time to look through verses on love in the Bible and write out what love truly is from God’s perspective.