A Life of Love: God is Love

by David Chadwick
 
 It takes intentionality to discipline ourselves in a life of faith, hope and love. This week we are learning how to live a life of love.
 
 Yesterday we talked about the many qualities of agape love found in 1 Corinthians 13. Do you pass what I like to call “the agape test”? Is your life patient, kind, not easily angered? Are you quick to forgive?
 
 If not, maybe today’s tip will help you learn to pass that test. In order to live a life of agape love, you must know that God is love. He is the only One who fully encompasses the definition of love found in 1 Corinthians 13.
 
 1 John 4:8 says, “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” Verse 16 goes on to say, “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”
 
 Love is inherent in the Trinity. The Father loves the son. The Son loves the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit loves the Father. Love can only exist if there is a direct object of the love. That is why the Trinity, though mysterious and unexplainable this side of eternity, is a crucial part of understanding God as love.
 
 Do you know one of the major reasons God created you, me and the angels? To extend the love in the Trinity outward. To have more creatures that he could love and who would love him in return.
 
 Think about this for a second. You were created by perfect love to love! That is one of the major reasons why God made you and put you on this earth.
 
 As you understand God as love, it will spill out onto other people.
 
 Who can you love today? Make a point to love them somehow, some way, today.
 
 Then feel God’s love grow within you.