GOD IS LOVE

Though you would study this verse from every conceivable angle and pore over it every day for the rest of your life, the significance of these three little words is beyond finding out. It is perhaps the most profound statement in all the Bible ... 

God is love. (1 John 4:8)

It permeates God's very being and infuses all His other attributes. The Lord's love is put on display throughout Scripture: 

 •  The plan of salvation sprang from it ... For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

•  Jesus explained how it is manifested ... Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves Me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them. (John 14:21)

• The divine authority of Christ was established because of it ... The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. (John 3:35)

But ... understand this: Though God is Love, He is also Holy. 

His attitude toward sinful mankind ... God is angry with the wicked every day. (Psalm 7:11)  

The Gospel of Jesus Christ allows 'justifiable anger' and 'undeserved love' to coexist. God's wrath was poured out on His Son when He bore our sins on Calvary's cross ... For He has made Him who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21) 

Nothing can separate you from the love of God once you receive Christ as Lord.  

Spurgeon - Never let it be thought that any sinner is beyond the reach of divine mercy so long as he is in the land of the living. I stand here to preach illimitable love, unbounded grace, to the vilest of the vile, to those who have nothing in them that can deserve consideration from God.

If you continue to see God as 'angry and imposing', one of two things is evident. Either you've never truly received the gift of salvation ... Examine yourselves, whether you are in the faith. (2 Corinthians 13:5), or you've believed a lie from Satan ... the accuser of our brethren. (Revelation 12:10)

God is Love. 

This tiny verse represents the surest foundation upon which to build your faith.