Dictionary of Bible Themes: 1085 God, love of

1085 God, love of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 1000 God » 1010 God, nature and qualities of » 1015 God » 1085 God, love of

The deepest possible expression of God's character. Though God loves all people, he is especially committed to sacrificial, loyal relationships with his people.

God's nature is love

1 John 4:8 See also 1 John 4:16

His love is perfectly expressed within the Trinity

Mark 1:10-11 pp Matthew 3:16-17 pp Luke 3:21-22 See also John 5:20; John 10:17; John 14:23; Ephesians 1:6; Colossians 1:13

Characteristics of God's love

It is eternal

Jeremiah 31:3 See also Psalm 103:17; Psalm 136:1-26; Isaiah 49:15-16; Isaiah 54:8,10

It is a covenant love

Deuteronomy 7:9 See also Exodus 20:6 pp Deuteronomy 5:10; Deuteronomy 7:12; 1 Kings 8:23 pp 2 Chronicles 6:14; Psalm 106:45; Daniel 9:4

It is lavish

Exodus 34:6-7 See also Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 103:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2; 1 John 3:1

It is holy and just

Images of God's love

God as a father:

Deuteronomy 1:31; Hosea 11:1-4; Luke 15:11-32; Hebrews 12:6; Proverbs 3:12

God as a husband:

Jeremiah 31:32; Hosea 2:14-20; Revelation 21:2

God's loving actions

The gift of God's Son is a unique act of love

1 John 4:9-10 See also John 3:16; John 15:13; Romans 5:7-8

God sets his love on the unlovely

Deuteronomy 7:7-8 See also Ezekiel 16:1-14; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:4-5

God always acts in love towards believers

Romans 8:38-39 See also 2 Corinthians 13:14; 2Jn 3

God's love for his people

Israel

Isaiah 43:4 See also Deuteronomy 10:15; 2 Chronicles 9:8; Matthew 15:24; Romans 9:15-16; Exodus 33:19; Romans 11:28

The church

Revelation 1:5 See also John 16:27; John 17:23

God's love for the world

Deuteronomy 10:18; John 3:16-17 See also Psalm 145:9,17; Matthew 5:45; Acts 14:17; Acts 17:25

God's love for individuals

2 Samuel 12:24-25 “Jedidiah” means “loved by the LORD”. See also Deuteronomy 33:12 Benjamin

David:

2 Samuel 7:15 pp 1 Chronicles 17:13; Isaiah 55:3 Ezra 7:28 Ezra; Nehemiah 13:26 Solomon

God's love transforms human love

Human love must respond to God's love

1 John 4:19 See also Deuteronomy 6:5; Deuteronomy 30:6; Ephesians 5:1; Colossians 3:12-14

Human love must be modelled on God's love

Matthew 5:44-45 See also Hosea 3:1; 1 John 2:15; John 4:7-8,11-12