What is love? Is it all you need? Is it a feeling? Where does it come from? Who defines love? These questions have been worn out in recent years. So many people have very different definitions to explain the concept of love. Most of us probably agree that languages other than English are lucky to have so many words to describe the concept of love. It’s easy to know which type of love is meant in the New Testament because the original Greek has three different words to describe “love”. But it doesn’t have to be hard for English speakers to define real love. We can easily find the definition of true unconditional love in the Bible because 1 John 4:16 reminds us, “God is love“. One of the ways we can better understand how God loves is to look at his character. In sticking with the Christmas theme, let’s take a look at some more attributes of Jesus’ character.
Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12). John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” The world is a dark, sin-filled place. Our sin keeps us from truth and light. But God loved us so much, He didn’t leave us to suffer in the darkness. He provided a great light as the only way to lead us out of sin. He sent His only Son as a light to this weary world (2 Cor. 4:3-6). Now we don’t have to live in darkness any longer. We can trust Christ and live in His light.
Jesus is the Healer (Mt. 4:23). When Jesus was here on earth, He didn’t just secretly get killed to die for our sins and then rise again unnoticed. Before He went to the cross He proclaimed to the world that He was God through His amazing teaching, fantastic miracles, and by displaying His love for people by healing them. He showed His love even to ones who might not believe in Him (John 5:1-17). He healed the untouchables and showed love to the unlovable. And He continues healing today. He gives us healing salvation through the gospel (1 Peter 2:24). Even though we still sin and experience trials and hardships, He is working in our lives according to His timing.
Jesus is Compassionate. Christ called the children to Himself (Mark 10:13-16). He ate with sinners and tax collectors (Mark 2:13-17). He called the weary to rest in Him (Mt. 11:28-30). Jesus guided and directed His disciples (Mark 4:34). He forgave the humble who had faith in Him no matter their past (Luke 23:34). He wept with His friends (John 11:33-35). Then He showed the ultimate compassion by going to the cross to die for people who don’t deserve His love. His whole life on this earth is a testimony to the compassion of God.
Jesus is the Suffering Servant. Isaiah 53 prophesied a man who would endure the greatest suffering to set sinners free. Philippians 2 tells us Jesus humbled Himself and became a servant that we might have life. Why would Jesus, the God of the Universe, endure that kind of pain and suffering? Romans 5:6-8 says, “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God’s love is so incredibly merciful, gracious, loving and kind.
When I look at these few attributes and how they relate to love, they remind me of Jesus’ obedience to God. Yes, Jesus loves us. Yes, God loves us. But there is an even deeper and purer love that we will never be able to fully comprehend among the trinity. They are all one God and yet individuals who love each other purely. Jesus obeyed the Father out of love. We too should be like Jesus and obey the Father out of love. We should look to shine His light by loving those around us. We should be part of His healing process by sharing the gospel with others. We should have compassion on others even when they don’t deserve our compassion. We should obey even when it brings us personal suffering because this light momentary affliction is nothing compared to the glory that awaits us in heaven (2 Cor. 4:17-18). Obedience to God should drive our love of God and others. Still not sure how to define love? Look to His Word and obey.
RESOURCE: “Evermore” by Phil Wickham
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIzTkeZ5WWY
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/3aUXA91MjgY11TYkPEE4Gl?si=febb05e961724d00
In this the love of God was made manifest among us,
that God sent his only Son into the world,
so that we might live through him.
In this is love, not that we have loved God
but that he loved us and sent his Son
to be the propitiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us,
we also ought to love one another.
-1 John 4:9-11
Perpetual Felicities 