God Is Love—But What Does That Mean for Your Daily Life?
We all know God is love. We've heard it preached, sung it in worship, maybe even quoted 1 John 4:8 to comfort a hurting friend. But here's the uncomfortable question: Does our love for God translate into love for the people around us?
John doesn't leave room for gray areas. He writes with stunning clarity: "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar." Those are hard words. They're meant to be. Because love isn't just a theological concept to understand—it's a life to be lived.
The apostle John witnessed something extraordinary. He saw Jesus, touched Him, heard His voice. His testimony wasn't built on speculation but on encounter. And what he learned changed everything: God didn't just demonstrate love occasionally or conditionally. God is love. This means every action of God flows from His loving nature.
But here's where it gets personal. We often treat love as a feeling—something that happens to us when someone is likable or pleasant. But biblical love is a choice, a commitment that persists regardless of emotion. It's patient when provoked. It's kind when taken for granted. It doesn't keep score of wrongs or celebrate when others fail.
Think about your testimony for a moment. Before Christ, you lived for yourself. Then you realized you needed something—Someone—you couldn't manufacture on your own. You repented, believed, and received new life. That transformation wasn't just positional; it was meant to be practical. The same love that saved you empowers you to love others.
Here's the test: Can you love the brother or sister you can see? The coworker who irritates you? The family member whose habits grate on your nerves? The church member who seems perpetually critical? John says if you can't love them—people made in God's image, standing right in front of you—how can you claim to love the God you cannot see?
This isn't about pretending difficult people aren't difficult. It's about choosing to love sacrificially anyway. Love bears all things, endures all things, hopes all things. It doesn't mean accepting abuse or enabling dysfunction, but it does mean extending the same grace you've received.
God initiated love. He loved you first—while you were still a sinner, still rebellious, still running. His love didn't wait for you to clean up your act. And now, because you've received that love, you're called to give it away freely.
The beautiful truth is this: when you struggle to love someone, you're not left to manufacture it from your own strength. The Holy Spirit lives in you. God's love has been poured into your heart. You have access to a supernatural supply of patience, kindness, and forgiveness.
So today, get practical. Who needs to experience God's love through you? Maybe it's time to stop avoiding that difficult conversation. Perhaps you need to forgive someone who doesn't deserve it—just as you were forgiven. Or maybe you simply need to show up with intentional kindness for someone everyone else overlooks.
Love isn't just about warm feelings. It's about choosing faithfulness when feelings fade. It's about demonstrating the character of Christ in everyday moments. And when you do, you're not just following a command—you're reflecting the very nature of God Himself.
John doesn't leave room for gray areas. He writes with stunning clarity: "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar." Those are hard words. They're meant to be. Because love isn't just a theological concept to understand—it's a life to be lived.
The apostle John witnessed something extraordinary. He saw Jesus, touched Him, heard His voice. His testimony wasn't built on speculation but on encounter. And what he learned changed everything: God didn't just demonstrate love occasionally or conditionally. God is love. This means every action of God flows from His loving nature.
But here's where it gets personal. We often treat love as a feeling—something that happens to us when someone is likable or pleasant. But biblical love is a choice, a commitment that persists regardless of emotion. It's patient when provoked. It's kind when taken for granted. It doesn't keep score of wrongs or celebrate when others fail.
Think about your testimony for a moment. Before Christ, you lived for yourself. Then you realized you needed something—Someone—you couldn't manufacture on your own. You repented, believed, and received new life. That transformation wasn't just positional; it was meant to be practical. The same love that saved you empowers you to love others.
Here's the test: Can you love the brother or sister you can see? The coworker who irritates you? The family member whose habits grate on your nerves? The church member who seems perpetually critical? John says if you can't love them—people made in God's image, standing right in front of you—how can you claim to love the God you cannot see?
This isn't about pretending difficult people aren't difficult. It's about choosing to love sacrificially anyway. Love bears all things, endures all things, hopes all things. It doesn't mean accepting abuse or enabling dysfunction, but it does mean extending the same grace you've received.
God initiated love. He loved you first—while you were still a sinner, still rebellious, still running. His love didn't wait for you to clean up your act. And now, because you've received that love, you're called to give it away freely.
The beautiful truth is this: when you struggle to love someone, you're not left to manufacture it from your own strength. The Holy Spirit lives in you. God's love has been poured into your heart. You have access to a supernatural supply of patience, kindness, and forgiveness.
So today, get practical. Who needs to experience God's love through you? Maybe it's time to stop avoiding that difficult conversation. Perhaps you need to forgive someone who doesn't deserve it—just as you were forgiven. Or maybe you simply need to show up with intentional kindness for someone everyone else overlooks.
Love isn't just about warm feelings. It's about choosing faithfulness when feelings fade. It's about demonstrating the character of Christ in everyday moments. And when you do, you're not just following a command—you're reflecting the very nature of God Himself.
This week’s blog draws from the message shared by Interim Pastor Steve Dighton on Sunday, November 16. You can watch the full message here.
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