Spread the love

Read 1 John 4:7-8

The love of God, a concept deeply rooted in religious teachings and scriptures, is a profound and unending force that has shaped the beliefs and actions of countless individuals throughout history. In 1 John 4:7-8, we are reminded of the imperative to love one another, a foundational principle that underscores the Christian faith. However, one might wonder, why did God, an all-powerful and self-sufficient being, choose to create in the first place?

The fundamental answer to this question lies in the nature of God. It is essential to understand that God does not create out of need or loneliness; He is complete in Himself. The name “I AM” (Exodus 3:13-14) signifies the self-sufficiency of God, and even without any creations, He remains God. Therefore, the motivation for God’s act of creation is not rooted in necessity but rather in His inherent attribute of love.

LOVE

Love is the ultimate reason behind God’s decision to create. Love, by its nature, seeks to be given, to be shared, and to manifest itself in the world. In 1 Corinthians 13, love is described as charity, emphasizing that love cannot be called such if it is not given. To give love, there must be recipients who can receive it, and this is why God creates. It is through this act of creation that love can manifest in all its glory.

However, love cannot truly manifest if the recipients of that love lack the capacity to feel it. Imagine attempting to express love to an inanimate object, like a stone; it would go unnoticed and unappreciated. Therefore, God’s ultimate creations are beings made in His image and likeness – angels and humans. These creations possess the profound ability to both feel and reflect love, making them the perfect recipients of God’s boundless affection.

FREEWILL

Another crucial aspect of love’s manifestation is freewill. Freewill is the ability to choose freely, to decide between love and indifference. Love cannot be genuine if it is imposed upon creations like robotic commands. It is only through freewill that love can truly manifest and be reciprocated.

Yet, freewill has a significant drawback – creations can also choose not to love. So, God faced a choice: to bestow freewill and risk the possibility of His creations rejecting His love or to withhold freewill, thus limiting their capacity to love. God chose the former, fully aware that love, in its truest form, conquers all, even the possibility of rejection.

LUCIFER

The story of Lucifer, the anointed cherub, serves as a prime example of this choice. He possessed the greatest ability to manifest God’s love but chose rebellion instead, and evil was found in him. This decision, along with the rebellion of other angels (Jude 1:6, John 8:44), underscores the weight of freewill and its inherent risks.

So, why is this narrative of God’s love and the consequences of freewill essential for us today?

God’s love is sovereign: It is given freely, even if it might be rejected. Rejections, in fact, prove the authenticity of God’s love. It is in these moments of rejection that we can witness the undeniable existence of His love. In our own lives, we may face situations beyond our control, but love should not be dependent on circumstances; it should be about the giver. Even in challenging situations, we can find solace in God’s unwavering love.
Pre-emptively eliminating Lucifer would make God’s love conditional: Love, in its purest form, is given without expecting anything in return. It is an act of charity, not an exchange. God’s love is unconditional, extending even to those who may not accept it. This principle is reflected in Ephesians – God quickens us even when we are spiritually dead.

1 John 4:7 emphasizes that everyone who loves is born of God, signifying that those who are not born again may not fully comprehend or exhibit this kind of love. And 1 John 4:8 reminds us that loving God is directly proportional to knowing Him, reinforcing that the love of God is founded on truth.

In our own lives, we can draw parallels to the love of God when we consider the purpose of marriage, which is often referred to as the fruit of love. As parents, our children are the tangible manifestation of our love. Just as God’s love gives unconditionally, the love we have for our children should reflect this same boundless affection.

IN CONCLUSION, the love of God is a profound and divine force that transcends human understanding. It is the driving force behind the creation of the universe, and it continues to shape our lives and beliefs today. God’s love is not conditional, and it can endure even in the face of rejection. Freewill, with all its risks, is the means by which true love can manifest. It is a reminder that love, in its purest form, is not about expectation but about giving, and it is founded on truth.