And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. – 1 John 4:16
What does it really mean when we say “God is love”? It’s a phrase we hear often, but sometimes its depth can get lost in familiarity. When we pause to truly think about it, we discover that this simple truth holds the key to understanding who God is and how He wants us to live.
Understanding God’s Love
Everything in creation exists because of God’s imagination and power. He filled the world with beauty, meaning, and reflections of His own nature. The way we experience relationships, joy, and compassion are glimpses of His design and His desire for connection with us.
When we love, forgive, or show kindness, we mirror the heart of God. These moments remind us that love is not just something God does; it is who He is.
God as Our Father
God uses familiar relationships to help us understand His nature. Every one of us has a father, whether present or absent, loving or imperfect. That experience gives us a glimpse of what fatherhood could and should be.
But when God calls Himself our Father, He is not borrowing from our human understanding. It’s the other way around. Earthly fathers exist as a reflection of His divine love and care. God’s fatherhood is the original model, and human parenthood only echoes it in part.
Living in God’s Love
Love is not simply an attribute of God—it is His very identity. To live in love is to live in God. When we extend love to others, we are participating in the life of God Himself. Each act of compassion, each moment of forgiveness, each decision to care reflects His presence within us.
As we grow in our understanding of who God is, we begin to love more deeply and more genuinely. The more we live in His love, the more we become like Him. Truly, God is love.