When we grasp the depth and breadth of God’s love for us, it transforms our ability to love others.

This article reflects on the various aspects of God’s love – His unconditional, sacrificial, and relentless love – and how understanding these truths can empower us to love others more fully in a way that points to Him.

At the heart of the Christian faith lies the truth that God loves us unconditionally. When we were His enemies, He came after us. This love is not something we have to earn or something we deserve but something that flows from the very nature of who God is. As the Apostle John reminds us, “God is love” (1 John 4:8).

This love is the foundation upon which we can build our relationships with others. As we read in 1 John 4:19,

“We love because he first loved us.”

Throughout the Scriptures, we find countless examples of God’s unwavering commitment to His people, regardless of their failings or shortcomings.

The psalmist declares, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 103:8), while the prophet Jeremiah assures us that “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you” (Jeremiah 31:3). It is this transformative love, freely given and unconditional, that empowers us to extend grace and compassion to those around us, mirroring the very heart of our Heavenly Father.

The most profound expression of God’s love is seen in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As the Apostle Paul writes,

“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

As Jesus said in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” At the cross, we see God’s love on display. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, willingly took on the punishment for our sins, offering Himself as a sacrifice so that we might be forgiven and reconciled to the Father.

Even when we turn away from God, His love for us never wavers. The parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) beautifully illustrates this truth.

Despite the son’s reckless choices and rejection of his father’s love, the father welcomes him back with open arms, overjoyed at his return. This is a powerful picture of God’s relentless, steadfast, never-changing love for us.

Loving others as God loves us is no easy task, but in John, Jesus commands us to “love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). What a statement. This means extending grace, forgiveness, and compassion to those around us, even when difficult.

It means seeing every person’s inherent worth and dignity, regardless of their background, beliefs, or actions. It means being willing to sacrifice our own desires and comforts for the sake of others, just as Christ did for us. It means persevering in love, even when we face rejection or opposition.

So, how can we put this into practice? Here are a few practical steps we can take:

1. Seek to understand God’s love first.

“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

Understanding the depth and breadth of God’s unconditional love for us is the foundation for loving others well. As we grow in our understanding and experience of His love, it will overflow into our relationships with others.

2. Cultivate empathy.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15)  

Seek to understand the perspectives and experiences of those around you. Approach others with a posture of humility, kindness, and concern for their well-being.

3. Extend grace and forgiveness.

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)   

When others hurt or disappoint us, choose to forgive as God has forgiven us. This doesn’t mean excusing or minimizing the offense, but peace is something we pursue, as it says in Romans 12:18: “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

4. Serve selflessly.

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3) 

Putting the needs of others before our own reflects Christ’s sacrificial love.

5. Speak words of life.

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29)

 Encouraging and uplifting others with our words is a great way to care for others as well.

What a relief that we don’t have to love others out of our own strength.

In fact, we can’t. Yet, as we rely on the Holy Spirit and regularly rest in the truth of our belovedness in Christ, our love will overflow and point others to the King of love.