We’re talking about the Love of God today.  I was at a church service last night and the Lord spoke to me and said, “Make your love free.” Now to anyone else that might not sound like good advice.  

We are told in society today that people have to earn their love.  In fact, as we approach Valentine’s Day, this concept of doing things to prove we love someone will become more and more prevalent.

But God told me, “Make your love free.”  

Now I knew exactly what that meant.  See Christ died for us BEFORE we ever showed even an ounce of interest in Him.  We are called to love others the same way Christ loves us.  Therefore, we are called to make our love freely available to everyone around us regardless of how they respond.  

Our Text

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8 KJV

In English Please?

Now we don’t use word’s like “commendeth” anymore, and the truth is that when you look this Greek word up in the dictionary, this word “commend” doesn’t really do it justice. 

As you can see one of the definitions for this word is “consist” as in “I am composed of or consist of this”.  So we could read Romans like…

But God “consists of” love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

But the love of God was God.  He consisted of this love.  It was (and is) part of His character.  That means when someone does something wrong to Him – His character is love. 

God’s Character is Love

I used to always hear the word “character” defined as “what you do when you think no one is looking”. And that’s a good definition, but there’s a better one.

Character is what you know to be right and wrong influencing what you think, say, and do.  

God’s love is part of His internal makeup.  It affects what He thinks, says and does. 

Our Character is Love

If we are born again, then our character is that of God’s character.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV

Our character is love.  Our internal makeup is now exactly that of God’s.  We are born of God, joint heirs with Jesus Christ, and part of the family of God.  

But have you ever been told by your parents to, “Act your age.” or “Don’t do that you’re representing this family.” The behavior we now exhibit needs to be the same as the behavior Christ exhibited when He died on the cross. 

All Have Sinned – Cut People Some Slack

I’m telling you what – Christians can be some of the meanest people that ever lived.  They can lie and cheat and steal from you and just live like the rest of the world, but that’s not a reflection of how God acts.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 3:23 KJV

Everyone, regardless of how perfect they want you to think they are, has made a mistake. And if you’ve just made one mistake in your life, I’d say you’re doing better than even the holies preachers alive today.

We need to make our love freely available to those around us.  

This starts by allowing it to affect what we think, say, and do. 

Experiencing the Love of God

If you’ve never experienced the Love of God, it really is the easiest thing you’ll ever do.  There’s no formula or specific rituals you have to follow.  You don’t have to quit all your bad habits or make yourself perfect.  

God already sent His only son to be crucified and die in your place.  He took the punishment for your (and my) life of sin on this earth. 

But here’s the really cool part. Jesus isn’t dead.  

Jesus rose from the grave 3 days after He entered it. 

Now all that’s left is for you to believe and accept Him as your Saviour.  

Just say, “Jesus come into my heart.” 

That’s all it takes to be born again. 

Wrapping Things Up

I hope you do take the time to experience the Love of God for yourself.  Make your love that you give people free and without any strings attached.  Don’t look for their response to do things – just love them regardless of how they behave. 

If you missed my last post, you can check it out here.