1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he has loved us and sent his son as a atoning sacrifice for our sins.
ἐν τούτῳ ἐστὶν ἡ ἀγάπη, οὐχ ὅτι ἡμεῖς ἠγαπήκαμεν τὸν θεὸν ἀλλʼ ὅτι αὐτὸς ἠγάπησεν ἡμᾶς καὶ ἀπέστειλεν τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ ἱλασμὸν περὶ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν.
The key to love is its origin. If love springs from a human heart, although it may have many positive things about it, this love will last only as long as that person chooses. This love may be conditioned upon many things, including emotions, physical or psychological well-being, hormones and other things. People “fall in love” and unfortunately “fall out of love” when someone else creates more of a surge of “love” so-called within them.
God’s love, however, is eternal. It is shown through the self-sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. This love does not grab but gives. It is not selfish but seeking. God’s love penetrates to our deepest problem of sin and removes its stain and control. We do not need to understand the nuances of the theology and doctrines of the atonement. We simply need to trust and receive this love. This can be expressed simply as, “Here am I, God. I need your love. I open myself to your love. Reveal your Son in me.”
What we will find is an unending treasure. As we look to the cross, we see both suffering and victory, suffering in our behalf and victory for our ultimate good. God’s love on the cross is the fullest display of victory.
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