God is Love

“God is love.”
Christians and non-Christians alike will agree on this statement. So why is there so much derision? It all depends on theology. Theology is what someone thinks about God and everyone is a theologian. The derision comes from where one's theology is based. So how do we define love and what is the Love of God?

There has not been an attribute of God that has been more abused than the Love of God. As Christians the Word of God is working in us an creating Holy affections so we can be conformed to express love and hatred for the things God loves and hates. It's impossible to express genuine true love without expressing hate for the opposite of what we love. We are to hate the things that God hates and love the things that God loves. Scripture tells us that God is love but is also an all consuming God, a God of wrath and judgment. God will consume all that is against Him, all that he hates.

John's epistle is a message of assurance. He gives us tests that we as believers can use to see if we are acting like true sons and daughters of Gods. John uses the tests of Truth, Righteousness, and Love of others to show us exactly what the Love of God is. It's not a matter of God sending or giving love to his children. The Scriptures tell us that God is love. Love, true Biblical love, is the evidence of God in us.