And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. -1 John 4:16, NIV 2010
Okay, let me put up a disclaimer: How many times have we heard people say, “God is Love”? Or how many times have we said ourselves, “God is Love”? Or how many songs are titled, “God is Love”? And have we memorized those beautiful words from John 3:16, For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”, or we see it every time Tim Tebow writes it on his cheeks? And how many pink-and-red hearts have you seen sticking out of the windows or classrooms or your workplace cubicle?
But love is so amazing, so powerful, and so majestic, that we can’t live without recognizing its presence. Love is the reason why we live, we breathe, why this world was created. The essence of our being roams on love.
Yet ask me now, “If God is love, why did He send His Only Son to die”? Or ask me, “If God is love, why is He sending people to Hell?” (Flawed thinking that one, don’t you think?) Or ask me then, “If God is love, why am I going to such a trial?” Even so, “If God is love, what about 9/11, or 3/11, or 7/7, and other calamities?” Amado, even the holiest of people battle with this day after day.
If God is Love, He sent his Only son to die so He could make a point of our salvation.
If God is Love, He will let our own actions send us to Hell. (I don’t want to go there!)
If God is Love, He will let us go to trials so that we can show to the world our faith-and to us our faith…And sometimes, we create our own trials.
If God is Love, He let 9/11, or 3/11, or 7/7 and other calamities happen to bring us to compassion about others. (Don’t ask.)
I am so thankful of a God who is LOVE! And I love Him, and He loves me even more.
If you could sum up love in one word…