Bible Verses About God's Love

Many Christians refer to the Bible as "God's love letter to us." Of course, in a book with the size and scope of the Bible, not every passage deals directly with the same theme. On Valentine's Day, we focus on the love we share with those of whom we are especially fond, whether girlfriends or boyfriends, children, spouses, or dear friends. Why not consider the love we share with God, too? These five verses describe the depth of God's love for His children.

God's love is boundless.

"Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, / your faithfulness to the skies" (Psalm 36:5).

This Bible verse speaks of the boundless quality of God's love and faithfulness. We cherish the loyalty of friends and family members. Their loyalty carries us through difficult circumstances and crises. The Bible teaches that God's unconditional love does, too. Specifically on Valentine's Day, we demonstrate our appreciation for the faithfulness of our loved ones; perhaps we can do the same for God on Valentine's Day.

God's love is compassionate.

"As a father has compassion on his children, / so the LORD has compassion on his children" (Psalm 103:13).

Compassionate people hate to see other people hurting. They express kindness and comfort through their words and actions to broken-hearted and grieving people. Even people who aren't naturally compassionate may feel a great deal of compassion when commiserating with close friends and family. The most compassionate of parents displays but a shadowed image of God's compassion for His children. Valentine's Day offers the perfect opportunity to thank God for His compassion.

God's love is sacrificial.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

Contrary to popular opinion, the Bible teaches that love is not an emotion, but rather a willful choice to sacrifice for the good of someone else. God long ago chose to love us, and He demonstrated this choice by sacrificing something of immeasurable value for our good. Christ's death provides the ultimate demonstration of God's love because He died for us while we were still His enemies. Valentine's Day may become a memorial to this ultimate demonstration of sacrifice.

God's love is permanent.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).

Nothing seen or unseen, at any time, in any part of creation, can tear us from God's love-not even death. American culture used to view marriage as a more permanent relationship than it does now. The marriage, once entered, became a bond which couldn't be dissolved as long as both husband and wife lived. Once one of them died, however, the surviving spouse could freely remarry. Not even our death can dissolve or lessen, in any way, the bond we share with God. A Valentine's Day prayer could commemorate the security of a relationship with God.

God's love is extravagant.

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" (1 John 3:1a).

Romance, in its various forms and definitions, has been a popular topic throughout centuries of history because everyone craves it. Everyone enjoys the extravagant nature of romantic love. Someone makes time for you in ways that no one else does. Someone chooses you over all the others and works to win your affection. Someone performs the extra thoughtful actions they know will hold meaning for you. God's love for His children is more extravagant than the most lavish lover the world has ever known. God has adopted us into His family. Valentine's Day can remind us to pause and express our love to God in response to all the love He has shown us.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.