Unlocking God’s Design for True Love
Today, we see experts everywhere, and everyone seems to have an opinion on everything. We are constantly inundated with analyses on politics, economics, power, and climate change. Discussions on love, immigration, racism, food, health, and technology dominate our screens and conversations.
Yet, amidst all this specialised knowledge, we find ourselves in an era marked by misinformation, lawlessness, hatred, and hardship. A false sense of respect prevails, and the opposing sides of the same coin — the political right and left — are perpetually at odds, facing and confronting each other, with few willing to acknowledge their own shortcomings.
While most people simply want to live in peace, true love has become one of the scarcest treasures one can find. In a world that often dismisses God as a myth of the past and views Jesus as a source of disruption, this scarcity is no surprise.
The good news, however, is that there is a clear explanation for this turmoil. For faithful Christians, the next steps are clear, and we are called to share them with the world, as revealed in the Scriptures.
For some, these ancient texts are nothing more than fables, the product of fanatic views. For others, they are the true source of life-changing information. In truth, the contents of the Bible provide the only safe haven for this fallen generation. The lack of love is the abyss that separates people from their blessings, as the Apostle Peter so wisely reminds us (1 Peter 3:9):
“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.”
The context of this passage is love. Peter wrote this letter in Greek, using the word “eulogia” for “blessing”. The prefix “eu” means good, well, or pleasant, while “logia” comes from “logos,” meaning word, discourse, or knowledge.
Thus, “eulogia” refers to a good gift that comes from the Good Father, a true blessing rooted in true knowledge. This deep understanding is crucial to comprehending the nature of love, as explained in the Bible.
Knowing God is the Path to True Love
The Bible makes a profound statement about the nature of love and our ability to experience it. As we read in 1 John 4:16:
“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in Him.”
This verse reveals a clear order: first, we come to know, and then we believe.
This is faith with understanding. It is of extreme relevance, especially for those who are not able to understand that faith is actually a rational thinking, instead of a blend of invented suppositions.
God is a person, and to truly know Him, we must first meet Him. When we get to know God, our eyes are opened to a new life. Knowing that God is love helps us to understand the next verse, a truly foundational truth for our lives (1 John 4:19):
“We love because He first loved us.”
This verse does not say, “We love Him,” but simply, “We love.” This distinction is vital. It means that God revealed Himself in love, and because He lives within us, we are able to love. We can only love if we know God.
The world, on the other hand, often mistakes a mixed bag of feelings, emotions, ideas, and concepts for love. This is why the world is so confused—they call everything “love” because they do not know what love truly is.
This truth provides a powerful reason for us, as Christians, to share the love of God.
Let’s take the Christmas season, for example, with its lights, carols, and decorations, presenting a unique opportunity to understand these concepts. Even if people do not know God personally, they have likely heard of Christmas, Easter, or Passover, and have seen a cross somewhere. These are all touchpoints that can lead to a deeper conversation about the source of true love.
Consider the story of Paul in Athens. While waiting for Silas and Timothy, he was provoked by the city’s deep-seated idolatry. Paul’s heart was set on sharing the love of God with these people. Boldly, yet cautiously, he approached them by referencing an altar he had found with the inscription, “To the unknown god.” He explained that this “unknown god” was precisely who he was there to proclaim. Paul clarified that the one true God, the Creator of all things, cannot be confined to an image or a temple (Acts 17:23).
“For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.”
Do you see the key insight here? They were already worshipping this unknown deity, driven by a natural human tendency to adore something.
Just as people today celebrate Halloween without understanding the darkness that lies behind it, the Athenians were doing the wrong thing because they did not know the truth. They were confused, following their own thoughts and believing they were doing good, much like many in our modern world. But after Paul’s explanation, some of them believed and wanted to know more.
This is the very same scenario we face today. With all the Christmas decorations and fanfare, it is the perfect time for us to share what we have: the love of God. Thanksgiving Day, Easter and Christmas are wonderful chances to welcome new people into the church, but this sharing must not be limited to a single season or a feast. It must happen every day. The Bible commands (Deuteronomy 6:5):
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
This means loving God with our whole life. When God lives within us, we can do everything with love because we have this perfect love from God Himself.
The Fruits of God’s Love and Overcoming Tribulation
It is remarkably easy to spot the difference between a person who knows God and someone who rejects Him. As the saying goes, we know a tree by its fruits. The Bible provides a clear description of a life lived without God (Galatians 5:19-21):
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
In stark contrast, a true Christian is expected to bear a different kind of fruit (Galatians 5:22-24):
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
The pattern is clear. When we align our lives with the will of God, we avoid the many situations that can bring us difficulty. When we truly love, we show respect, we help others, we care, and we find joy. God empowers us to overcome all things. All we need to do is allow Him to remove the works of the flesh so that the fruit of the Spirit can be fully realised in our lives.
The common excuses people offer for not turning to God often stem from their difficulties: “I can’t stop smoking,” or “You don’t know what I’ve been through. Where was God when this and that happened?” It is true that life is not easy for anyone. However, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came to die for our sins and give us eternal life, offered a powerful reassurance (John 16:33):
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
He came to show us the way, because He is the way. He came to reveal the truth, because He is the truth. He came to give us life, because He is the life.
If you are feeling lonely, know that God is always with you. Jesus promised His disciples (John 16:32):
“Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.”
And to all who believe, He promised (Matthew 28:20):
“… And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
If you are sad, remember the words of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 8:10):
“… And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
We are called to rejoice, always! This is our identity as believers, and it is made possible by the love of God that flows through us.
The Defining Mark of a Christian
Jesus gave a new commandment to His followers, one that serves as our defining mark to the world (John 13:34-35):
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
This love is our signature, our distinguishing feature. The love of God surrounds us, protects us, and flows from us. It is the greatest of all virtues. As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 13:13):
“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
If you feel that no one loves you, turn to God right now. He has always loved you and always will. And as for any excuses or circumstances that you believe are preventing you from turning to Him, do not worry. Fear no more, for it is written (1 Peter 4:8):
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”
In closing, we are left with the most extraordinary message of all, the summary of the good news, the Gospel (John 3:16-17):
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.”
This is love, explained.
More Resources
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