Do you find it easy to answer this question? If we are honest, most of us may find ourselves feeling perplexed as we search for the right words to offer our best answer. I John 4 answers this question clearly and tells us ‘God is love.’
If God is love, we need to consider how love is defined in each of our hearts as this drives our perception of God. The origin of love is initially defined by parents and placed in the hearts of children when they are being raised. Because all parents are imperfect, it is impossible for parents to teach perfect love. As a result, we must all be challenged to revisit our love definition to determine how we align with God’s definition so we may truly know who God truly is.
Inviting someone you trust to offer another view when answering the following questions may prove insightful:
Answer the following with Yes or No?
Are you consistently patient with others?
Are you consistently kind to others?
Do you envy what others have?
Do you boast?
Are you proud/prideful?
Do you dishonor others?
Are you self-seeking/selfish?
Are you easily angered?
Do you keep a record of wrongs/bring up the past?
Do you rejoice in the truth?
Is your love protective?
Is your love trusting?
Does your love offer hope?
Does your love persevere through tough times?
God's answers are: Love is patient and kind, does not envy or boast, is not proud, does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, rejoices in the truth, love always protects, always trust, always hopes and always perseveres (I Corinthians 13:4-7).
Once you identify areas in your heart that are in alignment with God’s definition, thank Him for what He has done! As well, when you identify areas that are not in alignment with God’s definition, ask God to help you know His definition of love. Through Jesus, God is faithful to answer our prayers, and He wants each of us to know His perfect love because this is what allows us to truly know Him!