Recognizing Real Love

by Alexandra Copeland

1Corinthians 13:8 tells us that Love never fails. If you look at the divorce rate and the way that we treat each other, you might question this, but the context of the Word of God puts it all in perspective. 1 John 4:13-16 The Message (MSG) tells us, “13-16 This is how we know we’re living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He’s given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also, we’ve seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God’s Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we’ve embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God.” Love comes from God. He’s the Giver, and we’re the receivers. This is the major reason we can all have tremendous hope for the future. 

A Christian friend of mine became involved with a man that isn’t a believer. As a matter of fact, he believes that Christian men are sort of weak, that they use God as a crutch because they lack the fortitude to stand on their own two feet and get things done. He’s very proud of the things he’s accomplished, and he strives to live in such a way that he never has to depend on anyone. He and my friend have had many conversations about faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He continues to say that he just doesn’t get it. My friend believes that even though he doesn’t love God, he loves her and will eventually grow to love God. My friend must make absolutely certain that she’s hearing the voice of God on this one, because love is not a game. It is a sacred gift from the Father.

One thing we know for sure, the love of God in Christ is the love that binds. This is the kind of love that we should all aspire to give out and receive. 1 John 4:7 The Message (MSG) says, “My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know him if you don’t love.” You and I don’t get to define what the love of God is or how it behaves. He has done this and informs us through His Word about it. God’s very nature is love, and because we’re His children, we’ve been given the awesome responsibility and privilege to be conduits for His brand of love. 

It’s important for us to let this marinate in our hearts, because people need to know that the love of God doesn’t hurt, lie, cheat, steal, or cause us to be in pain. If you are believing the wrong stuff about how God loves His people, you will create and operate within a realm that is false and injurious to your soul. Heavenly Father doesn’t want this. 1John 1:5(NKJV) declares that “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.”  If we are confused about the light, it stands to reason that we are confused about darkness; we don’t know the difference between the two, and that’s a real problem.

In Hosea 4:6, God tells us that His people are destroyed because they lack and reject knowledge. We believe one way and it is going in the opposite direction of God’s love. This causes destruction because it’s our believing that attracts and repels blessings. If we’re walking in faith, Hebrews 11:6 tells us that we please God, but if we’re walking in the error of unbelief or wrong believing, our eyes are closed. The enemy has blinded us and wants to keep us walking in darkness. When we’re in the dark, the enemy does everything he can to make sure we stay that way, so that we won’t see the light of God’s truth and love.

This is one of the reasons why the lives of individuals are sometimes just bombarded by obstacles; one problem after another. They feel as though they can’t catch a break, and they don’t understand what’s happening to them. Some will think that it’s God’s punishment, but nothing could be further from the truth. 1John 4:18 tells us that God’s love is perfect, and it cancels out the fear of torment and punishment. He has delivered us from this kind of darkness through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:13(NLT) declares, “For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son.”

Through His love, Heavenly Father has transferred us into a realm of His blessings and supernatural favor. We need to wake up, reach out, and grab what He has provided. His love is no ordinary love. It’s everything to us, and we need to accept it into our hearts and minds by trusting His Word. 1John 1:7(NLT) tells us, “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” Fellowship between two people is achieved when they walk in the light together. This is God’s signature stamp of love, and He has the final word. We can choose to remain in the dark about God’s love if we want to. If we do, we’ll continue to stay in bondage, not knowing the difference between trash and treasure. But if we let the love of Christ control our lives by trusting God’s promises, we’ll have sweet fellowship with Him through Christ, and His love will show us the way. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. 

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.