Matthew 17:24-27
Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails;
The passage above shows God’s kind of love. It is unconditional love that functions in truth, mercy, faithfulness and justice. To experience God’s love and grow and obey Him effectively, one must turn from sin to Jesus as Savior. God faithfully forgives, renews us from within, and imparts the Holy Spirit to cultivate that same love in our hearts. We are then ‘born again’, as true children of God.
Everything the Lord does is in love. Scripture says God is love (1 John 4:8). God wants us to experience His beautiful, rich and complete love, and to give this love to others through His leading and enabling. By God’s grace, through the Holy Spirit, others can see what God is like through His children’s lives.
People everywhere are searching for genuine, unconditional love—and God’s children are the bridge that connects them back to God. The Lord’s path for each differs; some roles are highly visible, while others are quiet. Following this inner guidance with humility and love is truly powerful. People ultimately respond to truth better when it is wrapped in love.
Like a massive, unstoppable river, God’s love flows powerfully across the earth. Though Satan, a fallen rebellious angel, deceived humanity at the beginning, he and his forces will soon be punished eternally. In God’s plan and timing, sin’s destructive consequences will be completely defeated by His love. There will be a new heaven and a new earth where the God of love will rule wonderfully.
As the Creator, the Lord God cares for all. He has paved the way back to Himself because He loves the world dearly.
Have you responded and received God’s offer of salvation? Have you experienced His love? If so, are you drawing near to your Father in heaven daily, growing in His grace and love, and allowing Him to love others through you? What a gift!
Other Scripture
Hebrews 11:1-6
Romans 4:3-5