In the book Bono: A Self-Portrait in Conversation, the legendary U2 vocalist shared these thoughts on God’s love with author Michka Assayas. “My understanding of the Scriptures,” Bono says, “has been made simple by the person of Christ. Christ teaches that God is love. What does that mean? What it means for me: a study of the life of Christ. Love here describes itself as a child born in straw poverty, the most vulnerable situation of all, without honor. I don’t let my religious world get too complicated. . . . God is love, and as much as I respond in allowing myself to be transformed by that love and acting in that love, that’s my religion.”
The apostle Paul wrote often about God’s remarkable love, striving to capture its fullness as found in His Son (Ephesians 3:17). Though undeserved, God’s love is given to us freely through Jesus and—astonishingly—unlike any other love, it can’t be taken from us.
“I am convinced,” wrote Paul, “that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39)
As we more fully understand “how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is,” Paul explains, “then [we] will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God” (Ephesians 3:18-20).
It’s in the context of such love that we experience transformation that compels us to make our life and religion, as Bono says, one of love.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Colossians 3:1-17
More:
Read 1 John 3:16 and consider what it says about the source of real love.
Next:
How can you live so your reputation is one of faith in Jesus and love for Him and others? What has God’s love helped you learn about Him . . . about yourself?
Gary Shultz on December 6, 2014 at 8:06 am
How great the love of God is. There is such a gap in the meaning of love. In our country love is such a mushy term; however, the love God represents is so much more. it’s limits are never touched, learning it’s discipline never reached, yet we are able to enjoy it’s fullness. What an incredible portion of our God and He hands it to us. Thank you.
Tom Kopper on December 6, 2014 at 9:37 am
This my sound ridiculous but, it finally hit me, when according to Romans 8: 31 – 39, this would even include His love me for me (Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; Joshua 1:5, Hebrews 13: 5) and other places in scripture under different circumstances.