God’s love:
The scriptures teach us, and we believe that God, as the creator of all that exists, has love as a foundational essence. John says that God is love. Throughout the scriptures, we see his love modeled. The scriptures tell us, as a demonstration of God’s love towards us, that his mercy shall not be removed from us (Is 54:10, Jr 31:3). God’s love is everlasting, compassionate, and covenant-driven; it is perfect. His love has to be believed and acknowledged. It is how others know that we are in God. Jesus said that when we love one another, others will know that we are his disciples (Jn 13:35). There is a scale that assesses love beyond the affection of romance. It measures core components like attachment, warmth, concern, trust, protection, and sacrifice. It can be used in romantic, familial, friendship, and caregiving contexts. These components become perfected when they are done in God.
1 John 4:16-19
16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
19 We love him, because he first loved us.
When we practice loving with God’s love, we will be rewarded on the day of judgment. God’s primary objective in this world is to love it and everyone in it, and it becomes ours too. We are as he is in this world. The scriptures say that we are the light of the world (Mt 5:14). But one of the passions in us that hinders love is fear, the fear that God will punish us. We have all sinned and failed at one point or another in life (Ro 3:23). Failures turn our attention to punishment and instill fear in us. John says that perfect love casts out fear. One of the virtues that follows love is joy. Galatians says that in the order of the fruit of the spirit, right after love is joy (Gal 5:22). The expression of happiness and being content is expressed after we manifest love. Paul was concerned with the church at Corinth, so instead of coming to them to correct them, he wrote a letter to them. He wanted the church to know his love for them and, in turn, cause joy in them (2 Cor 2:4).
Isaiah 54:10
10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.
Jeremiah 31:3
3 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
John 13:35
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Matthew 5:14
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Romans 3:23
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Galatians 5:22
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
2 Corinthians 2:4
4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.