5 Characteristics of God's Love

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever" Ps. 136:1

The 5 characteristics of God's love that I find myself appreciating the most these days are:

1. God's love is unconditional.
2. God's love is sacrificial.
3. God's love is everlasting.
4. God's love is compassionate.
5. ​God's love is transformative.​

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His love towards us is unconditional, sacrificial, everlasting, compassionate, and transformative. Those truths can be impactful in the life of a believer.​
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Today, let's look at these 5 characteristics of God's love and the Scripture that defines them.

​1. God's love is unconditional.

​"But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

The truth of this means that his love is not based on conditions or requirements. It is a love that is freely given, without any expectation of anything in return. God is the embodiment of love and compassion. This love is unconditional. God loves all of us, regardless of our actions. There are no factors that might influence His love as with human judgment.

God's unconditional love is meant to inspire and comfort us. This characteristic reminds us that we are loved and valued no matter what. It's a source of strength and hope, especially during difficult times. Unlike God's love, there are certain conditions that must be met in order to receive His salvation. Just because He first loved us doesn't mean an automatic entrance into Heaven.

2. God's love is sacrificial.

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

God's love is sacrificial. This means it involves His willingness to give up something valuable. God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to the cross at Calvary for our benefit—to pay our sin debt. This is often called atonement, which refers to God's sacrifice of His son. That sacrifice was necessary to pay the penalty for our sins and to reconcile us with a holy God.

We also find in Scripture sacrificial love closely linked to the teachings of Jesus. He sacrificed Himself for the sake of humanity. This sacrificial love is seen as the ultimate expression of God's love for us. It is the central crux of Christian theology. Sacrificial love is an important aspect of God's love. It reflects the truth that love is not just a feeling, but a commitment to putting the needs of others ahead of one's own.

3. God's love is everlasting.

"I have loved you with an everlasting love... I have continued My faithfulness to you." Jer. 31:3

God's love is everlasting, it's eternal. It's something we can not only experience and enjoy now, on earth. We can experience and enjoy His love for all eternity. God's love is infinite and enduring, extending to all people. His love towards every human being, regardless of their actions or circumstances.

God's everlasting love is frequently mentioned in the Bible. Not only in Jeremiah 31:3 but also in the book of Psalms. There we read, "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever" (Psalm 136:1). Overall, God's everlasting love is a powerful and comforting characteristic for many believers. It gives hope and reassures us that no matter what happens in life we can always rely on the love and compassion of God.

4. God's love is compassionate.

"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." Psalm 103:8

God's love is compassionate. His compassion is rooted in the truth that He cares deeply for all of His creation. He desires the well-being of every living being. God's love is not just about feelings, but also about action. ​In the Bible, there are numerous examples of God's compassion toward His people. ​

• In the Old Testament, we read of God's compassion towards Israel as they suffer oppression in Egypt. In response to their cries for help, God sends Moses to lead them out of slavery and into freedom.
  
• ​In the New Testament, we see the great compassion of Jesus. There we read of Him healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and showing mercy to sinners just like us. His actions are a manifestation of God's love for the people He met.​

God's compassion also implies that God is willing to forgive and show mercy to those who have gone astray. We see this play out in the parable of the prodigal son. There, we read of a father who welcomes home his wayward son with open arms and celebrates his return.

God's compassion is an important aspect of His character. Through it, we see that His love is not just about judgment or punishment. It is also about forgiveness, mercy, and care for all living beings.

5. God's love is transformative.

"See what kind of love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God." 1 Jn. 3:1

God's love is transformative. I know that from my own personal experience. Maybe you do too. This transformative love can bring about significant changes in an individual's life. It can create change in behavior, attitude, and perspective.

This transformative love can enable us to overcome negative habits such as addictions. It also gives us the power to forgive others and find peace. Through this transformation, we can also become more compassionate and loving towards others.

Which of these 5 characteristics of God's love are you clinging to most today?

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