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Key Verse: “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” 1 John 4:16 (NLT)

Scripture is full of examples of God’s unfailing love displayed through his mercy, grace, and goodness towards us. Jesus’ ministry was unquestionably one of love and compassion. The very act of becoming flesh to die for us proves His love for John 15:13 assures us, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

To love and to be loved is an incredible thing, but far too often we overuse the word. We mention our love for our children and proceed to describe how they love singing or love chocolate in the same breath. Too often, love only expresses our pleasure in something.

Let’s consider the words of 1 John 4:8 and 4:16 together; God is love. Consider this mind-blowing revelation for just a second. The Bible does not say that God merely loves, or even that God feels love towards us in the form of emotion. No, it’s much more than that! These verses tell us God is love! Love is one of his key attributes. Love is a very part of His essence and character. He is, in turn, the source of our ability to love.

This pure love is found abundantly in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

When we feel down, depressed and discouraged, we should fix our eyes on our loving Heavenly Father and know that we are loved by Him because He is love itself. Furthermore, we have the incredible promise that nothing will separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39).

For the month of January, we will be doing a series entitled: GOD IS … Daily Devotions on the Attributes of God. Each day we will be looking at another attribute of God together. What better way to start the year than to reflect on Character of God.

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