Definition and Nature
God's love is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting His character and His relationship with humanity. It is an unconditional, sacrificial, and eternal love that is foundational to the Christian faith. God's love is not merely an emotion but an active force that is demonstrated through His actions and His covenant with His people.

Biblical Foundation
The Bible presents God's love as intrinsic to His nature. In 1 John 4:8, it is stated, "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." This verse underscores that love is not just an attribute of God but is essential to His very being.

Manifestation of God's Love
God's love is manifested in various ways throughout the Scriptures:

1. Creation: God's love is evident in the act of creation. He created the world and humanity out of love, desiring a relationship with His creation. Genesis 1:31 reflects His satisfaction and love for what He made: "God saw all that He had made, and it was very good."

2. Covenant: God's love is demonstrated through His covenants with humanity. In the Old Testament, God establishes covenants with figures like Noah, Abraham, and Moses, promising to be their God and to bless them. Deuteronomy 7:9 states, "Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of loving devotion for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments."

3. Redemption: The ultimate expression of God's love is found in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. John 3:16 declares, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." This sacrificial love is the cornerstone of Christian belief, emphasizing that God sent His Son to die for the sins of humanity.

4. Grace and Mercy: God's love is also shown through His grace and mercy. Ephesians 2:4-5 highlights this: "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."

Characteristics of God's Love
God's love is characterized by several key attributes:

· Unconditional: God's love is not based on human merit or actions. Romans 5:8 illustrates this: "But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

· Eternal: God's love is everlasting. Jeremiah 31:3 affirms, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion."

· Sacrificial: God's love involves sacrifice, as seen in the giving of His Son. 1 John 4:10 states, "This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

· Transformative: God's love has the power to transform lives. 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!"

Response to God's Love
Believers are called to respond to God's love by loving Him and others. The Great Commandment in Matthew 22:37-39 instructs, "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’"

Conclusion
While this entry does not include a conclusion, it is evident that God's love is a profound and pervasive theme throughout the Bible, shaping the narrative of God's interaction with humanity and providing the foundation for Christian life and practice.