Originally posted on August 24, 2023 @ 12:29 pm

In a world marked by strife and division, embodying and showing God’s love to others has become a powerful beacon of hope. God’s love is unconditional, surpassing human understanding. It is a love that persists in both light and shadow, embracing flaws and imperfections. showing unconditional love involves extending grace without expecting perfection.

Love is a universal force that binds people together. Love transcends tribe, nation, religion, and society. Everyone want to feel loved and appreciated; we tend to withdraw from an environment without love. In this article, we will explore the concept of God’s love, the characteristics of God’s love, and ways to show God’s love. 

³⁸ And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[b] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ³⁹ No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39 NLT

What is God’s love?

According to the Bible, God is regarded as love (1 John 4:7). God’s love crosses all limits to draw us to Himself. His love for us is so mighty that he willingly gave his only son for our redemption (John 3:16).God’s love for man is referred to as “agape,” which means fatherly love shown by God to man, and it is also the love reciprocated by man to God.

 Words cannot define the love of God because it is beyond human understanding. We can get a glimpse of what God’s love means by studying the characteristics of God’s love. 

Characteristics of God’s love

The love of God shown to us has many attributes. The attributes of God’s love are what makes it unique and special. Some of the characteristics of God’s love include:

• God’s love is sacrificial and not selfish. The love we receive from God is sacrificial. It is a kind of love that is strong enough for God to give his precious son as redemption for our sins (Gal 3:13-14)
• His love for us erased our records of sin and keeps no record of our wrongdoing. When we receive the love of Christ, our sins are wiped off, just like the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). We are reinstated and celebrated.
• The love of God is not proud but humble and meek (1 Cor 13:4). Jesus showed us this example when he washed the feet of the disciples and commanded us to show love to others. 
• God’s love is patient and not easily angered. Whenever I think about the abominations and atrocities committed by man daily, I am reminded of how patient God’s love is. 
• God’s love is not envious or boastful. Pride and envy are not like God or his love. His love is rather humble, strengthening and kind. (1 Cor 13:4)
• God’s love doesn’t change (Rom 8:38-39). It is the same yesterday, today and forever more. That is why God accepts us with open arms anytime we run to him and confess our sins. He loved us even when we were sinners and living in sin. 

Can God’s Love be Compared to a Mother’s Love?

A mother’s love is a reflection of God’s love. It doesn’t fully explain everything about God’s love, but a mother’s love is the closest show of love that reflects God’s love. The Bible contains some verses where God explains his love using an example of a mother’s love. 

“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”

Isiah 66:13

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!”

Isaiah 49:15

 “Like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft. The Lord alone led him; no foreign god was with him.”

Deuteronomy 32:11-12

“Like a bear robbed of her cubs, I will attack them and rip them open. Like a lion I will devour them—a wild animal will tear them apart.”

Hosea 13:8

“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

Psalm 91:4

Can Anything Hinder Us from Receiving God’s Love?

We have established that God love and care for us, but no matter how much God loves and cares for us, many things can hinder us from receiving the love of God; some of which include:

• Living a life of sin. God knows when we unconsciously or mistakenly fall into sin. He is willing to accept us and take us back into his fold, but when we continuously live a life of sin, we may not receive his love. It is not because God does not love us but because our sins will stand between us, hindering us from receiving and experiencing his love.
• The feeling of guilt after sinning. Many people find it difficult to receive God’s love because they feel they have sinned and do not deserve it. The truth is that none of us deserve his love. We are all able to receive and experience his love by grace. Do not let your guilt hinder you from experiencing the love of God.
• Not accepting his salvation and love (Eph 1:13). Accepting Jesus and confessing Christ is accepting God’s love. Anyone who fails to accept salvation cannot receive Christ’s love.
• Having hatred or dislike towards our enemies (Matt 5:44) . One of the lessons I have learnt in life is a heart filled with hatred is incapable of feeling love. When we bear hatred and hurt in our hearts, we find it difficult to experience the love of God because the feeling of hatred will always overshadow the love.
• When we are ignorant of how much love God has for us. Many believers do not truly understand the extent of God’s love for them. Some see God as a taskmaster who keeps burdening them with challenges and difficulties; they rarely understand God’s love for them, hence their inability to experience it.

God truly loves us, but we must consciously walk in his love and never allow the devil to create doubt in our hearts. It is also essential to show the love we have received from God to others to bring them to the light of Christ. 

Ways to show God’s love to others

The love of God is enough for everyone in the world to enjoy and experience. We believers have a role to share God’s love with everyone we meet or encounter, and these are some of the ways we can show God’s love to others (Rom 5:5).

1. Preaching to them about the love and redemption of Christ. A believer can show love to others, especially unbelievers, by sharing the good news. The salvation of God should be shared with others to bring them to the kingdom of God.
2. Praying for them. Praying for others is very important, showing our love and commitment. We must pray for people like our husbands, wives, children, friends, neighbors and family. God has called us to be intercessors for those around us, and we must yield to his call. Offer heartfelt prayers for the well-being and happiness of others, interceding on their behalf in times of need.
3. Serving others with utmost dedication and selflessness. We live in a time when the world is so fast-paced, and everyone is saddled with many responsibilities. If we are not careful, we will become selfish and forget what serving others means. Jesus exemplified service to us by washing the feet of his disciples. He showed us the meaning of love and service by disregarding his position and letting go of his worry about his death. He served his disciples and encouraged us to do the same.
4. Telling them the truth in love. Times are such that people who tell the truth are called snitches and seen as bad people, but if you love someone, you will tell them the truth. Whenever we tell people the plain truth of love, we are showing them the love of God. 
5. Loving yourself. How can we talk about showing love to others without first experiencing love? Loving yourself is very important to God; even Jesus admonished us to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:31). Love yourself, and the love will spread to others.
6. Support people whenever they need it. Showing support and standing by people, especially in times of trouble, is vital. Let them see a reflection of how much God loves them in you. You may be saving a life. : Provide encouragement and affirmation to uplift others and boost their spirits.
7. Listening To People and Showing Empathy. Listening to people helps them alleviate their stress, and it helps them to focus.
8. Acts of Kindness: Perform random acts of kindness, whether helping someone carry groceries, holding the door open, or offering a genuine compliment.
9. Active Listening: Practice compassionate and active listening, showing genuine interest in others’ thoughts and feelings without judgment.
10. Volunteering: Dedicate time to charitable organizations or community initiatives, demonstrating love through selfless service.
11. Forgiveness: Extend forgiveness when someone has wronged you, reflecting God’s capacity for forgiveness and reconciliation.
12. Generosity: Share resources, whether money, possessions, or time, with a generous and open heart.
13. Hospitality: Welcome others into your home or community, fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance. Be a reliable source of support during challenging times, offering comfort, encouragement, and practical assistance.
14. Acts of Service: Perform practical acts of service, such as helping with chores or tasks, to ease the burdens others may be carrying. Invest quality time building relationships and creating meaningful connections through shared experiences and conversations. : Engage in humble service without seeking recognition, mirroring Jesus’ example of washing the disciples’ feet.
15. Thankfulness: Express gratitude and thankfulness regularly, acknowledging and appreciating the positive qualities and actions of others. Share joy and positivity, creating an uplifting atmosphere that reflects the joy found in God’s love.
16. Honesty: Practice honesty and transparency in your interactions, building trust and fostering authentic relationships.
17. Patience: Demonstrate patience and understanding that everyone is on their unique journey, and growth takes time.
18. Avoiding Judgment: Refrain from passing judgment on others, embracing diversity, and appreciating the uniqueness of each individual.
19. Spreading the Word: Share God’s love through conversations, writings, or social media, spreading positivity and hope.
20. Leading by Example: Live out your faith by embodying the principles of love, compassion, and kindness, inspiring others through your actions.

The Power of God’s Love

God’s love is compelling; sometimes, when I imagine the extent of his love for me, I am speechless and marvelled at his love. God’s love is powerful enough to redeem man and save us from the severe punishment we inherited from Adam and Eve. 

God’s love heals and restores us, bringing us to the rank of the firstborn of God. We became children of God and not just an ordinary creation of God. Isn’t his love powerful?

How to Show God We Love Him

God has shown us how much he loves us, and we can also reciprocate his love by doing these things:

• We can show God we love him by accepting and appreciating his love unto us; we must allow his love in our hearts and give him the position he deserves in our lives. (John 1:12)
• By worshipping and appreciating him for the things he has done for us.
• Allowing his will and purpose to prevail in our lives. If we truly love God, we will fulfil and follow his instructions in total obedience to him.
• We can show God we love him by loving others and showing the love of Christ to them. Eph 4:2
• We can show God we love him by giving to him and others around us. Giving is a way of expressing love; if we truly love God, we will be willing to give to him and those in need around us.
• Love what God wants and hate what God hates.
• By spending regular time with him like he is our lover.

How did Jesus show God’s love to us?

Jesus is our perfect example that demonstrated how to show God’s love to us.

• Sacrifice on the Cross: Jesus demonstrated the ultimate act of love by sacrificing Himself on the cross for the redemption of humanity. (John 3:16; Romans 5:8)
• Forgiveness: Jesus forgave sins and emphasized the importance of forgiveness. (Matthew 9:2; Luke 23:34)
• Healing the Sick: Jesus showed compassion by healing the sick, demonstrating God’s care for physical well-being. (Matthew 14:14; Mark 1:40-42)
• Feeding the Hungry: Jesus miraculously fed thousands, illustrating God’s provision and care for our physical needs. (Matthew 14:15-21)
• Comforting the Broken-hearted: Jesus comforted those who were broken-hearted and distressed. (Matthew 5:4; Luke 7:13)
• Teaching Love for Enemies: Jesus taught the radical concept of loving one’s enemies, reflecting God’s boundless love. (Matthew 5:43-48)
• Welcoming Children: Jesus welcomed and blessed children, highlighting the importance of innocence and humility. (Matthew 19:13-15)
• Casting out Demons: Jesus liberated people from spiritual bondage, demonstrating God’s power over darkness. (Mark 1:23-27)
• Including Outcasts: Jesus associated with societal outcasts, illustrating God’s inclusive and non-judgmental love. (Luke 15:1-2; Mark 2:15-17)
• Praying for Others: Jesus prayed for His disciples and future believers, interceding for their well-being. (John 17:20-26)
• Promoting humility: Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, exemplifying humility and the servant’s heart. (John 13:1-17)
• Teaching Parables of Love: Jesus used parables, such as the Good Samaritan, to teach about love. (Luke 10:25-37)
• Restoring Peter: After Peter’s denial, Jesus restored him, showing God’s forgiveness and second chances. (John 21:15-19)
• Stilling the Storm: Jesus calmed the storm, revealing God’s authority over nature and offering peace. (Mark 4:35-41)
• Resurrecting Lazarus: Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, demonstrating God’s power over life and death. (John 11:1-44)
• Promising the Holy Spirit: Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort believers. (John 14:15-17)

• Encouraging Faith: Jesus commended those with faith, reinforcing the importance of trust in God. (Matthew 8:10; Luke 7:50)
• Teaching Unconditional Love: Jesus emphasized the commandment to love one another unconditionally. (John 13:34-35)
• Predicting His Resurrection: Jesus predicted His resurrection, offering hope and conquering the fear of death. (Matthew 20:17-19)
• Commissioning His Disciples: Jesus commissioned His disciples to share His love and teachings before ascending. (Matthew 28:18-20)

Final Thoughts

Nothing can take us away from the love of Christ; his love is intense and beyond understanding. Whenever you are feeling low and undeserving of his love, always remember to seek solace in his word and be confident in his word that says;

 So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:

Romans 8:31-35 MSG