God is Love

The Bible says that "God is Love." This points to the very heart of the message of the New Testament. The message that God is Love, is something wholly new in the world, even though it's old. We understand this and try to apply this statement to the divinities of the various religions of the world: Wotan is Love, Zeus, Jupiter, Brahma, Ahura Mazda, Vishnu, Allah, is Love. All these combinations are wholly impossible. Even the God of Plato, who is the principle of all good, is not Love. Plato would have met the statement "God is Love" with a bewildered shake of the head and considered it nonsense. He would have thought God has no relationship with men.

The Love of God, the Agape of the New Testament, is very different. It does not seek value, but creates value or gives value; it does not desire to get but to give; it is not attracted to some lovable quality, but is poured out on those who are worthless and degraded; love is unfathomable, and passes all understanding; the highest expression of love is loving fidelity toward the unfaithful, the love of the Holy God for those who desecrate His sanctuary, the love of the Holy Lord toward the rebellious and disobedient, that is the sinner. All God desires is to seek the fulfillment of value and nothing for himself. All he desires is to benefit the one he loves. "For God so loved the world, that he gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him should no perish, but should have eternal life."

And this indeed took place while we were yet sinners. Christ died for the ungodly. Think about this.