Day 10: God Is Love, Not Indifferent, Not Sentimental

Scripture

“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:8 ESV


“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 ESV

Confessional Summary

The Reformers saw God’s love as holy mercy rooted in God Himself and proven in the saving work of Christ. Westminster confesses that God is “most loving, gracious, merciful,” meaning His love is not a mood, but His settled goodness toward His people (Westminster Confession of Faith 2.1).

Heidelberg begins our comfort in the same place, not in how steady we feel, but in the fact that we belong, body and soul, in life and in death, to our faithful Savior Jesus Christ (Heidelberg Catechism 1).

The Reformers believed God’s love is His steady, holy mercy shown decisively in Christ, so our comfort rests not on our feelings but on belonging to Jesus in life and in death.

Reflection


“God is love” is not a soft slogan. Romans 5:8 tells you what it means. God did not wait for you to become presentable. He moved toward you while you were still a sinner. That means His love is not a reaction to your worth. It is a decision flowing from His own goodness.

This is why God’s love does not flatter you. It rescues you. Sentimental love says, you are fine. Holy love says, you are mine, and I will not leave you in what is killing you. The cross is not God overlooking sin. It is God dealing with sin at infinite cost. Love has nails in it. Love has blood on it. Love has a Name.

If you measure God’s love by your circumstances, you will swing between pride and panic. If you measure it by the cross, you can be honest about your sin without despair, and you can face suffering without concluding God has gone cold.

Application


When you doubt God’s love today, do not start by reading your life. Start by looking at Christ crucified. Then bring one specific sin into the light, not vague guilt, and receive forgiveness without bargaining. After that, practice love that seeks someone’s true good, with truth, patience, and costly kindness, not mere niceness.

Prayer

God of love, thank You for loving me in Christ while I was still a sinner. Anchor me in the cross when my feelings wobble. Teach me to receive Your love with humility, and to give love with truth and sacrifice. Amen.