Last Wednesday I started a nice argument in our Bible Study and maybe I can get you in on this debate.
We read 1 John 4: 16b – GOD IS LOVE
Here is the passage in context...
13. We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the Day of Judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
The question I asked, which started the debate is this: “If God is Love, can we then say Love is God?” The arguments on both sides broke out after that. I wrote possible formulas for this and asked which the group liked.
1. God = Love
2. God > Love
3. God < Love
After some discussion I chose no. 2, because even though I believe that God does have (agape) love, He is more than that. He is also righteous, Holy, and the judge of all mankind. If he were no. 1 or no. 3 then certain realities, like hell for example, would not make any sense. I also believe that He is more than a principle (like love), and we are to relate to Him as a person.
What do you think? What side of the argument would take?
2 comments:
Nice rationale but do you have any Scriptures to back your opinion?
We may not understand the full meaning behind "God is Love" but that is what Scripture says. Have you considered that Righteousness, Holiness, and Justice might be a manifestation of God's Love? As human beings, I don't that we really understand God's love.
To know the full meaning is not necessary. All we need for scripture is John 3 although there are many other scriptures. In John 3 we have the love of God that forgives and provides a way out and an eternal judgement for those that reject His love. Christ heals and restores in the Gospels and then condemns others for their wicked ways.
Right now I am using "love" in the "agape" sense: "love without condition." If we use that definition then at some point we can say that a condition is placed (at the judgement). Therefore "agape" has a time limit. Many scriptures warn about the time limit to God's grace.
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