“The Origin of Love” | 1 John 4:7: Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
“Love”- It’s a word we hear everywhere. The world offers many versions of love: some romantic, others self-serving, and many rooted in feelings that change overnight. God’s love radically differs from the world’s love; His love is genuine and pure and never fails. God is the source of love; his love was demonstrated through Jesus Christ and his crucifixion. This is real love, love that the world and many believers have not known or built their relationships on, and because of this, we’ve had many failed relationships that have broken people and left them hungry and desperate for love, or left them bitter, filled with resentment, and unforgiveness. As Children of God, we are to love one another as He has loved us (John 15:12). I’ve experienced and observed Christian, marital, family, friend, and business relationships. In each relationship, there were many nuances, and I didn’t always know how to function in a way that fostered a healthy, fulfilling relationship. It wasn’t until my first marriage that I would be confronted with the opportunity to learn how to love God’s way.
It was shortly after my wedding day that I was faced with threats of abuse. This was all new to me because I had never been exposed to such anger and hostility, so this put me in a tailspin. Not knowing what to do, I desperately sought the Lord, wondering what had happened. As I continued seeking God for answers, I heard the Lord gently say, “I am going to teach you to love unconditionally.” I was newly surrendered to Christ and had recommitted my life to Jesus again, so I was a baby Christian, and I had no idea what that meant, but I would soon find out. Long story short, my then-husband, who became my abuser, was a hurt and bitter man in need of God’s love. This was an event throughout my life’s circumstances that God sovereignly chose to use as a catalyst to transform me; I discovered and experienced real love for the first time. Hold on…. I know you may be asking, “How can an abusive marriage help you to find real love? Only! By the love, grace, and wisdom of God. He took what was intended to harm me and turned it for my good; He walked with me, loved, and comforted me through those turbulent times.
In this place, called an abusive marriage, I received His First love. He taught me how to love and forgive without harboring resentment; instead, He empowered me to show mercy and compassion to one who needed to be loved as much as I did. To love and forgive one who repeatedly hurts and betrays you is only possible by God’s ability at work in you, the power of His love, Hallelujah!! There is more to come about my testimony in future posts; I want to stay on track with sharing about the love of God and how His love is unrelenting. We must receive God’s “First love,” JESUS, this is the Bedrock of all love on which we build all other relationships. If we want functional, harmonious, and meaningful relationships, we must prioritize allowing God to love us; stop doubting His love for us, accept and embrace it. The emphasis of the new covenant is God’s love for you, not your love for Him. I’m not saying that your love for God is unimportant; I am saying that we can not efficiently share love with others in a relationship or even love God without being loved first by God. Our version of love will always waver; God’s love never fails. We are to emulate Jesus; He is our ultimate example, John 13:35.
A Key Takeaway: This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins, 1 John 4:10. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, Lam.3:22.
~Love & grace,
Tracy