God is Love

G

od is love. This short three-word sentence sustains the universe and supports the individual soul who navigates an increasing hostile planet where negative news constantly bombards us and fills our waking hours.

As I left the grade 8 classroom Friday morning at CPES, a warming thought filled my mind. My morning contemplation was redirected into a musical tune as I drove from the school to the church. I began to sing, “God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, He’s so good to me.” Silently I prayed that my students would have understood through the morning devotional the amazing love that God has for each one of them. “God, at his deepest level is a lover (1 John 4:8). He is relationally oriented and relationally driven. He desires a connection with us from the womb to the tomb: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love’ (Jeremiah 31:3)”. This quote with accompanying biblical text impressed me so much that I carried it from Wednesday evening prayer meeting to the Friday morning devotional time at CPES (Boundaries: When to Say Yes, When to Say No, Taking Control of Your Life, p. 168).  

Upon returning to my desk, I punched on my computer keys our church’s website, collegeparkchurch.ca. Under the “About Us” tab, I clicked on the “Our Beliefs” option and was directed to the 28 Fundamental Beliefs of the SDA Church. I selected study number three, “Father”. The study included video content and bold captioned truths, but I was captivated by the following paragraph, “God’s character is love. He is perfect and holy and merciful and full of grace. The Bible has a lot say about the character of God.” I then proceeded to study ten vital biblical truths concerning the character of God: 1. God is Love, 2. God is Just, 3. God is Merciful, 4. God is All-Powerful, 5. God is Patient, 6. God is Good, 7. God is Holy, 8. God is Unchanging, 9. God is All-Knowing, 10. God is Ever-Present.

The truth of God’s love is not something that should be hoarded by his followers. The study continues with a question, “How does God relate with us, His children?” The answer to the question came in biblical promises from God to help us when we are: afraid, worried, need healing, need forgiveness, need wisdom, feel lonely, and when we are broken-hearted. I am positive that we are surrounded by friends and family that need to hear the comforting promises of God.

Our church website is more than an information platform, it is an evangelistic tool for sharing the good news of Jesus and salvation. Anyone can share these studies via Zoom, face to face, or on the phone. We have been called to live and proclaim the truth that “God is love.”