The Real Love Equation: |GOD|=LOVE

The biblical passage of 1 John 4 provides us with a foundational understanding of love. Its assertion that "Love is from God" compels us to examine what love is, what it means and how it can influence our relationships and spiritual journeys. As you read the verses in this blog, keep in mind- these verses depict agape love. Agape love is the highest form of love, as it reflects the nature of God, nothing sexual. We will dig into the other types of love mentioned in the Bible at a later time.

Love is not simply an emotion or a human equation we can calculate through effort, attraction or mutual benefit. The ONLY TRUE EQUATION is this: GOD = LOVE

So, can Love exist outside of God? The Apostle John answers this directly:

• “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:7–8)

Anything outside of God falls short. Love is not the sum of feelings or good deeds- it is the very nature of God expressed through His people. Without Him, "love" loses its purity, its sacrifice and its eternal foundation; hence outside of God, love DOES NOT EXIST.

Jesus spoke numerous times about Love. Let's look at some of those occurrences:

The Greatest Command

When asked which commandment was greatest, Jesus replied:

• “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend on all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:37–39).

This order is intentional:

1. Vertical love — devotion to God.

2. Horizontal love — compassion toward others.

We cannot truly love people if we do not first love God, because it is His love in us that overflows into love for others.

The Standard of Love

Jesus not only highlights the greatest command of love but also teaches the standard of Love we must strive towards.

Jesus defines the ultimate expression of love:

• “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

To “lay down your life” is not limited to physical death. For the believer, it looks like daily surrender—yielding our desires, ambitions, and self-will to Christ because we love Him. To love Christ is to want His way in us, and to want His law above our own desires.

This surrender is also depicted in Jesus’ words to the rich young ruler:

• “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21).

  
  

This was not only about wealth—it was about ALLEGIANCE. When we are in love with God, we want His will above ours and His law written on our hearts. We do not grasp at straws trying to twist Scripture to fit our desires; instead, we submit our desires to fit His Word. Love moves us beyond clinging to possessions, ambitions, or fleshly cravings. It compels us to live in obedience to Him.

Jesus further illustrates the importance of this Standard of Love. In Matthew 7:22–23, Jesus warns, "On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

What is Jesus saying here? He is reminding us that though we have been given spiritual gifts, performing miracles and wonders isn't enough to get us into Heaven. We must love him - Greatly, Firstly, & Fully Surrendered to His Way. This image is painted again for us in Luke 9:62 “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

CONCLUSION:

Love is not optional for the believer. It is the evidence of knowing God, the fulfillment of His commands, and the sign of true discipleship. To love Christ is to surrender fully to His will—wanting His way in us, His law above our desires, and His commands lived out through our lives.

And let us remember, love is not a formula to figure out, it is a Person to know. The equation is not “love = good deeds” or “love = feelings" or anything else. The equation is “God = love.”