Real Love, Part I: The Love of God

What do you think of when you hear the word "love"?

• Agapaō is defined as “To esteem, love, indicating a direction of the will and finding one’s joy in something or someone.”  (Complete Word Study Dictionary)
• Phileō is defined as “To have to have affection for someone, to be fond of, to like, indicating feelings, warm affection.”  (Complete Word Study Dictionary)

What is the first verse that comes to mind when you think of God's love?

• John 3:16

Sometimes, words become so familiar, they lose their impact and meaning.

• Romans 5:8
• Ephesians 2:4-10

Not only are we God's masterpiece, destined for good works in this present life, but we will serve as examples of His love to future generations.  Think of people have spoke into your life through the years, of people who have been "the hands and feet of Jesus" to you, of people whose testimony , whose faith, whose lives as living witnesses stirred something in you.

• 1 John 4:7-21

Multiple times we read of God's demonstration of love for us while we were still sinners-- not only that we may gain eternity, but that our relationships with Him would be fully restored.  Love is not defined by our love for Him, but by His love for us.  God Himself IS love.

Our earthly experiences with love have ill prepared us for the kind of all-encompassing, self-sacrificing, perfect love that God the Father has for us.

• 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Even our closest friends and family may let us down, fail us, or even walk away from us, but what can separate us from the love of God as expressed in Jesus Christ?

• Romans 8:35-39

The Father's love is exemplified in the parable of the prodigal son:

• Luke 15:11-32

Let us always remember our testimony, our personal stories of how we once were lost, but became found.  We may trace that moment to a decision to "come home,” but the story began long before that.  While we were still "in the world,” the Father was waiting and watching for us.

Closing Prayer:

• Ephesians 3:14-19

The Father's Love Letter - http://www.fathersloveletter.com/