Reply To: Soteriology (Laity) 2024/2025 Discussion Board 1

[VictorKachi]

A true understanding of God’s love suggests that there is a false understanding of his love. Having accurate knowledge of something prevents Abuse from taking flight.

If you have a friend and that friend offends you or say something to you that you don’t expect them to say and they are trying to explain to you the mistake they made, you might end that friendship and throw away the years of friendship but what makes you stop and listen is the balance of God’s (agape) love.

Truths about God’s love
A) God’s love (Agape) is the highest form of Love.
1 John 5:4, John 15:13
There are four major words translated as love in Greek. These four kinds of love are: storge, which is family love; phileo, which is friendship love; eros, which is sexual or physical love; and then there is agape, which is God’s kind of love. When we say God is love we ain’t saying God is storge, phileo or Eros. God is love (agape) but love is not God. While friendship, love, and all other types of love are important, they are still human forms of love. They come with their own downsides, limitations, and shortcomings. Friendship love is like a two-legged stool; it requires God’s love to be stable, but God’s love does not rely on friendship love or any other type of love.

B) God’s love is characterized by being unconditional and sacrificial.
Romans 5:6-8 NKJV,MSG
There is no believe system that the founder laid down his life for his friends or followers. In spite of the risks, Christ still died for all. He did not allow the risks involved in love stop him from loving and giving his life

C) God’s love is all-encompassing. John 3:16
“… for God so loved the world…”, not the church.
God’s love is described as all-encompassing. While we were yet sinners, christ died for us. God proved His love for us by acting first. He didn’t make arrangements with us ahead of time, or wait for us to become strong and godly and worthy of being saved. He loved us and took action to save us while we were still helpless to save ourselves because of our sin. Rom 5:6

Three ways in which God’s love is distinct from the love found in friendship
1) The element of risk
1 John 4:18
In friendships, there often exists a fear factor, leading to thoughts like, “What if I reach out to this person and they reject my love? Is this individual truly worth my affection?”. In contrast, God’s love is not hesitant. It is a love that led Him to send His only begotten Son to die a gruesome death on the cross. One might assume that such love is irreparably damaged. However, God’s love repeatedly leaves the ninety-nine to seek out the one; one might wonder, “What if He loses the ninety-nine in the process of finding the one?”. One thing is sure, God’s love cannot be comprehended by our senses, it is a supernatural and revelational love based on a decision to love revealing a clear determination of will.

2) Motivation and Expectations
Friendship love (Phileo) is often motivated by emotion, pity or even a sense of obligation. it typically entails a mutual expectation of reciprocity. This relationship is inherently bilateral, emphasizing the importance of both parties. Most people pull back from love because they have been abused Phil 1:9-10
In contrast, God was motivated by solely by Love. God’s love is not self-centered; it does not prioritize its own interests, nor is it driven by selfish motives. It does not contemplate what it might gain or lose. Instead, God’s love is defined by the act of giving selflessly, without any anticipation of receiving something in return.

3) Duration
God’s love is everlasting, while friendship love is time-limited. Rom 8:38-39, Jer 31:3

In conclusion, God’s love is the highest and most perfect kind of Love. God’s essential nature is Love. He doesn’t oscillate between love and hate. If we consistently dedicate more time to reflecting on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the eyes of our hearts will be continually enlightened, allowing us to witness the most profound demonstration of Love. This revelation will facilitate a continuous manifestation of the supernatural in an individual’s life thus fulfilling the Bible’s command for a healthy love towards one another. John 13:34