What does it mean for us that “God is love” (1 John 4:16) and not just a loving God? This distinction is a critical one. It means love is not merely one of His character attributes, like justice, goodness, and mercy; it is His essence. Love is the defining genetic marker of God’s DNA, generating all His other attributes and actions.
This perspective can deeply influence our relationship with God and others. It transforms how we view trials and challenges, framing them as expressions of divine love. It also affects the way we interpret the Scriptures, making love our focus instead of religious conformity and judgment of others – which is something Jesus did, and the religious leaders despised.
How does “God is love” align with the existence of evil? This is a mystery impossible to solve completely from a human perspective, but there are some helpful clues. God’s allowance of evil can be seen as an aspect of His love, providing us the freedom to choose, which is essential for genuine love and growth. The absence of choice makes love as impossible as air without oxygen. The presence of evil also highlights the depth of His love, as He enters into our suffering and works to heal, redeem and restore.
A deeper dive into the familiar truth that God is love is something worth taking just a moment to consider today.
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