Definition of Love

Written by Suzanne Benner

Are you feeling ready to walk away from a relationship – are you possibly even considering divorce? We want to pray for you.

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Everyone is searching for love.

Love isn’t an unattainable mystery. The Bible tells us clearly: “God is love. This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:8 – 10).

God Himself is the definition of love. He demonstrated His love to us by sending Jesus to take the penalty for our sins, making us righteous and giving us life.

There are no qualifications we must submit; no requirements we need to fulfill. Regardless of who you are or what you have done, God loves you

Who did Jesus think he was? And why should I care?
Still have questions?Ask a mentor

Maybe you have abandoned or perpetrated violence against someone in your life. Perhaps malicious words are your habit, or anger your constant companion. None of these or any other sins disqualify you from receiving God’s love. In fact, our sinfulness proves that God’s love comes without conditions. “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).

You don’t have to wonder if anyone loves you. You can know. The knowledge that we are loved by God frees us from our past. His love gives us power to overcome obstacles, refreshes us when we are weary and fills us with hope.

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us” (1 John 4:16).

Dear God, Thank you that You love me so much. Please make it real in my heart. Where there have been lies told to me that I am not worthy or that I cannot be forgiven make Your truth known to me. Thank you that I can know and rely on Your love. Amen.

Questions: How has God been the definition of love in your life? Does it free you to know that God loved you first?

About the Author Suzanne Benner

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, Strength and Endurance, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog

Tags: abandoned, companion, disqualify, Jesus, love, mystery, penalty, qualifications, requirements, righteous, sins, violence

8 Responses to “Definition of Love”

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anonymous says:

February 19, 2009 at 9:33 pm

Thank you so much for this devotional. Please pray that God will rid me of anxiety & condemnation/ fear from the past, & be free to do all that I have to be doing. for protection. God bless you all.
Suzanne B says:

February 19, 2009 at 3:34 pm

Dear Tee,

Let me pray these words from the Bible for you:

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill Tee with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that Tee may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that Tee may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified Tee to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Amen. (Colossians 1:9 – 14)
Tee says:

February 19, 2009 at 11:57 am

Please pray for me ladies. My marriage is not good at all. We fuss and fight daily. I am thinking about moving out this weekend. I have prayed and asked the Lord to show me which way to go. I am hurting so bad right now. Please pray for me.
Stephanie says:

February 19, 2009 at 10:52 am

Thank you Claire.. I was on break at work and I was looking through that website. It had a video that really hit home about 6 love busters. I love my husband very much and fighting constantly is breaking me apart. Thank you once again for your support.
Claire Colvin says:

February 19, 2009 at 9:52 am

Hey Stephanie, There are some great marriage resources at Marriage Uncensored that might be able to help in your situation. They have articles, full episodes you can watch and some really great counselors if you want to ask a question buy email.
Sara says:

February 19, 2009 at 3:23 am

It really amazes me how easily we forget about th One who loved us first because of the one that loved us last. I have been nursing a broken heart for almost a year now and this devotional made me realize that I have put the best and purest love on the back burner because of a love that was untrue. This is such a simple truth… to focus on the love God has for us will open our eyes and our hearts in so many ways. To our worth, our value, and our purpose. He loved us FIRST!! How awesome is that? Isn’t that what we are all seeking? He should in turn be our first love as well….
Stephanie says:

February 18, 2009 at 10:06 am

This email could not come at a better time. I am having troubles in my marriage. I feel that if I loved as openly as the Lord then my marriage would not be in so much trouble.
sharon says:

February 18, 2009 at 5:03 am

i would like to thank The Lord for His love. with out Him i would be nothing