Paula @ Gracefilled Moments The Bible tells us that God is love (1 John 4:8). But what does that mean? It means that love is not just an attribute of God; it is His very essence. God is the source of all love, and His love is perfect, unconditional, and everlasting.
The Bible also tells us that God’s love is radical. What does that mean? It means that God’s love goes beyond anything we could ever imagine or understand. It is a love that is so deep and wide and high that it surpasses all knowledge (Ephesians 3:19). And indeed, it does— I try to wrap my head around it, but I can’t.
“The Lord appeared to him long ago, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you out with kindness.”
Jeremiah 31:3— NASB
So, What’s It About
When we talk about the radical love of God, we are talking about a love that is all-encompassing. It is a love that extends to every single person on this planet, regardless of their race, religion, or background. It is a love that is not just reserved for the “good” people but is available to all.
The radical love of God is a concept that challenges our understanding of what love truly means. It is a love that goes beyond the conventional boundaries of human love and embraces the broken, the lost, and the marginalized. This love is not based on merit or deservingness, but on the inherent value of every human being.
The radical love of God is exemplified in the life and teachings of Jesus. He showed us what it means to love unconditionally, to forgive without reservation, and to serve without expectation. His love was so radical that it led Him to the cross, where He willingly gave His life for us.
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1
1 John 4:9-10— NIV
Examples of God’s radical love
- God loves us even though we’re sinners. The Bible tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). But despite our sinfulness, God loves us deeply. He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.
- God loves us even when we’re unlovable. There are times when we are all difficult to love. We may be selfish, ungrateful, or even rebellious. But God loves us anyway. He loves us even when we don’t deserve His love.
- God loves us unconditionally. God’s love is not based on our performance or our merits. He doesn’t love us because we are good or because we deserve it. He loves us simply because He is love.
How to respond to God’s radical love
The best way to respond to God’s radical love is to accept it and receive it. We can do this by trusting in Jesus as our Savior and Lord. When we do this, we are forgiven of our sins, and we become children of God.
Once we have received God’s love, we can begin to express it to others. We can love others in the same way that God loves us: unconditionally, sacrificially, and selflessly.
How to experience God’s radical love
- Accept and receive it. The first step is to simply accept and receive God’s love. This means trusting in Jesus as our Savior and Lord and believing that He loves us unconditionally.
- Worship and Praise God. When we worship God, we are expressing our love and gratitude to Him. We can worship God through prayer, singing, Scripture reading, and spending time in nature.
- Serve/Help others. One of the best ways to show our love for God is to serve others. We can serve others in your church, community, or even at home. Looking for opportunities to help those in need.
- Forgive others. Forgiveness is a powerful way to show God’s love to others. When we forgive someone, we’re releasing them from the debt that they owe us. This is not always easy, but it is something that God calls us to do.
- Be grateful. When we’re grateful for God’s blessings, we’re opening our heart to receive His love. Take some time each day to thank God for the good things in your life.
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:37-39— NIV
In Essence
In a world that is often filled with hate, division, and fear, the radical love of God is a beacon of hope. It reminds us that we are all loved, valued, and cherished by our Creator. It inspires us to love others in the same way that God loves us, without reservation or condition.
So let us embrace the radical love of God and allow it to transform our hearts and our lives. Let us share this love with others, so that they too may experience the joy, peace, and hope that comes from knowing the radical love of God.
God’s radical love is available to everyone. If you are not experiencing God’s love in your life, I encourage you to reach out to Him today. He is waiting for you with open arms.
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I’ve found it fascinating that one of the things Paul prays for the Ephesians is that they “may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (3:18-19). And even more fascinating, these verses are followed by the ones about God doing abundantly more than we can ask or think. Being secure in God’s love solves so many problems and enables us to love others.
Amen Barbara 🙏🏻
Beautiful encouragement for us today, Paula, that we might experience His radical love in the depths of our heart, soul, and mind, and be transformed by it. ~Visiting from Anita’s today
Thanks for your kind words Lisa.
Paula, love your post and God’s radical love.
Thanks so much Debbie ❤️
“In a world that is often filled with hate, division, and fear, the radical love of God is a beacon of hope.” May we love those around us well so that they find hope for these days we are living.
Indeed ❤️
Such a beautiful post about the love of God. Forgiving others as we have been forgiven is indeed key.
Thank you so much for your encouraging words Amy
What a lovely quote from St. Augustine. I appreciate how you said that God “is” love because it’s not just something He does, it’s who He is. I love to think about how if He is all-knowing and all-powerful and perfect, then He must be able to love perfectly, too. I love that you brought up forgiving others. It’s hard to remember sometimes, but if God loves me 1000%, then He loves the people I have a hard time forgiving 1000%, too. Forgiveness is definitely a powerful way to show God’s love to others, but I also think it’s a powerful way to show HIM my love–I love Him so much that I’m going to try my best to show love to the other people He loves. (I’m still working on it!!) 🙂 Thank you for sharing this inspiring post at the Will Blog for Comments linkup #11. Hope to see you there next week, too.
You’re so welcome Jen. I too am trying my best to love others because as you said he loves those whom I need to forgive too. I always think he forgave me so I need to forgive others.
Paula, I loved your beautiful reminder about the love of God. It’s amazing how He loves us unconditionally. Forgiving others is so important, just as God has forgiven all of us. Thank you for sharing this uplifting message with everyone. We appreciate you sharing with us at the Crazy Little Love Birds link party #10 and look forward to having you join us again!
You’re so welcome Steph 🤗
It’s amazing to me how many churches even seem to get this wrong.. it’s my favorite view/belief in God and yet it is definitely the hardest to emulate and understand.
I learned this so clearly when our son had a terrible accident in April, then only by God’s intervention, was spared. I saw firsthand God’s reckless love on those of us who do not deserve it.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences, and for bringing your post to the Sunday Sunshine Blog Hop!
Laurie
Oh Laurie, I remember the posts you shared about your son. I had him on my prayer list right in my journal.