What Is Love?

¹⁷ And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.
¹⁸ Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.
1 John 4:17-18

Let me give you a premise:  "We can only love to the degree that we have been loved."

Now, that might sound a bit bizarre and may be difficult to grasp, until we take a little closer look.  If you are like me, for the longest time I thought that I had to love God in order for Him to love me back.  If I did all the right things then God would love me.  If that were the case, love is a reward...not a free gift.  You see love flows FROM God to us, and as a result, we can love to the degree we are loved (although we tend to limit the love we give).

You see, we need to be reminded that God doesn't need us, and we don't have to do anything to please God.  God loves us SO much (even though the stench of our sin is offensive to Him) He sent the Messiah to save us and cleanse us of the sin stink. There is only one Messiah in the world and we aren't it.  Whatever God is going to do in the world, He will do without our help. God is God and we aren't (and aren't you glad you don't have God's job?).

We must allow God to love us, and love us completely!  As a result, increased faith, compassion and love for others, and an obedient heart will follow...but God's love for you HAS to come first.  You see, it is BECAUSE of God's love for us that we can love each other!  

And remember, God's perfect love drives out fear!  Thus, we can love each other, encourage each other, become part of each other without fear!  Let's love others because God's love has filled us to overflowing FIRST!!!