To understand the heart of God, we must begin with love. The Bible doesn’t merely say God loves it says God is love (1 John 4:8). This means love is not just something He does; it is who He is. Everything God does flows from this divine essence. Let us examine this great love that surpasses knowledge (Ephesians 3:19). 1. The Nature of God’s Love 1 John 4:7–8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God... God is love. God's love is not fickle or shallow. It is holy, perfect, and unchanging. His love is pure not based on emotions or circumstances. He does not love the way humans love. His love is essential, not just emotional. This is why even when we sin or fall short, His love remains faithful. Because God is love, He desires a loving relationship with His children one rooted in truth, obedience, and grace. 2. God's Love Is Unconditional Romans 5:6–8 While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. God did not wait for us to become righteous before loving us. His love came first. We were weak, ungodly, and sinners yet He chose to love us. This is unconditional love, known in Greek as agape love that is not based on merit, but on God’s goodness. Even in our worst state, God valued us enough to send His Son to die in our place. Such love cannot be earned. It is received by faith. 3. God's Love Is Sacrificial John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. True love gives. And God gave His best His only Son. Jesus laid down His life as a sacrifice for sinners. 1 John 3:16 says, By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us.God’s love is not mere words it is action. The cross is the greatest demonstration of that action. No greater price has ever been paid, and no greater love has ever been shown. 4. God's Love Is Everlasting Jeremiah 31:3 I have loved you with an everlasting love. Unlike human affection, which can be temporary, God’s love is eternal. It does not fade with time or weaken with our failures. God's love for His people remains through generations. Psalm 136 echoes, His love endures forever 26 times. His covenant love, known as chesed in Hebrew, is loyal, steadfast, and eternal. Even when Israel turned away, God pursued them with love, longing to restore them. 5. God’s Love Is Personal and Transforming. Romans 8:38–39 Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God. God’s love is not only global it is personal. He loves each person intimately. His love reaches into our fears, failures, and wounds, and brings healing. 1 John 4:18 says, Perfect love casts out fear. His love gives us identity as children of God (1 John 3:1), and shapes our character. When we encounter His love, we are transformed. We begin to love as He does. We become like Him patient, kind, forgiving, holy. 6. Our Response to God's Love Deuteronomy 6:5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart. God's love demands a response. We are not only to receive it, but to reflect it. Jesus said, If you love Me, keep My commandments (John 14:15). Love for God leads to joyful obedience. Ephesians 5:1–2 urges us to imitate God’s love in how we live. Loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength becomes our greatest pursuit. And loving others, even our enemies, becomes possible through the love we’ve received. God’s love is unlike any other: it is holy, unconditional, sacrificial, eternal, personal, and life-transforming. The more we grasp the depth of this love, the more we are changed. Paul prayed that believers would know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge (Ephesians 3:19). This is our goal not just to understand God’s love intellectually, but to live in it daily, and let it overflow into our relationship with others. #Michael Godwin igatta