A Note from Michael Gossett
Love Redefined
“All you need is love!” Thanks to the Beatles, we understand that this is all we need in life. The problem is not the statement; the problem is the terms and conditions by which we understand the term love. Back in 2013 around Valentine’s Day, an article in The Wall Street Journal was published trying to explain the truth about love. The article explained that on Valentine’s Day, we should not be exchanging hearts because love does not come from the heart but from the brain. So, what is love according to this article and according to science? The article insists that love is just a bunch of chemical reactions in your brain. Neuroscience tells us that love is a condition involving neurons, neurotransmitters, hormones, receptors, and circuits in your brain. Cognitive science defines passionate love as an “elevated activity in the brain pathways which cause feelings of euphoria, strong motivation, and heightened energy which can induce sleeplessness, loss of appetite, and obsessive thinking about the beloved.” However, if this is how we are to measure the depth of love or the greatness of love, then it is simply surrounded by a selfishness of how good love makes us feel or whatever will give us the next hit of dopamine in our brain.
Hopefully, the Wall Street Journal did not get this correct, or at least the depth of the concept. If love is merely a neurological response, then it is entirely self-centered based on what makes us feel good at the moment. If this is all that love is, then it can be reduced to a mere feeling that can come and go, change with circumstances, or be shaped by personal preference. In a world that completely misunderstands love, it must be redefined.
John presents a different view of love in 1 John 4:7-16. This love (true love) is not based on something we create, manipulate, or define. Instead, true love originates with the person of God Himself. “God is love” (1 John 4:8). To understand true love, we must understand the priority, proof, and practice of God’s love.
1. The PRIORITY
Love is not something that can be viewed as optional by true believers. It is essentially a defining mark of a true disciple. Paul tells the church in Galatians 5:6, “What matters is faith working through love.” Paul tells the church in 1 Corinthians 13:13, “Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love – but the greatest of these is love.” Jesus Himself taught that the greatest commandment is to love God and love others. The New Testament is saturated with the command and example to love, but nowhere is this theme stronger than in 1 John 4. Many have heard it said before that 1 Corinthians 13 is the love chapter of the bible, but I would argue for 1 John 4. 1 Corinthians 13 uses the Greek word, agape, nine different times. This is obviously a theme for Paul in that chapter. However, in 1 John 4, we see the same Greek word, agape, 27 times! John makes it clear that love is not secondary, it is a priority for Christian identity.
Love is the nature of God. John makes this abundantly clear in verse 8 – “God is love.” It would be correct to say that God is loving, but would be incomplete. Love is not something God does, but rather it is who He is. Love is a part of God’s divine essence. However, on the flip side, it does not mean that love is God. Many today reverse John’s statement, saying that any expression of love no matter how unbiblical is inherently godly. Why? Because the world misunderstands what true love is.
The world around us says, “Love is love.” Or “If you really loved me, you’d support me.” Or “God loves everyone, so He wouldn’t condemn anyone.” These are all perversions of the concept of love. Our world has redefined love in a way that strips it of its biblical meaning. Instead of viewing love as self-sacrificial, holy, and rooted in truth, modern culture sees love as unquestioning affirmation, emotional satisfaction, and personal autonomy.
It is not loving to affirm every person’s choices, beliefs, and identity. If you do not approve of someone’s lifestyle, then you are labeled as hateful, intolerant, or oppressive.
Scripture teaches that love is inseparable from truth and righteousness:
- Psalm 85:10 – “Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.”
- 1 Corinthians 13:6 – “Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.”
- John 14:15 – “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
These are only a few examples of truth and love being united rather than detached from one another. One of the most misused Bible verses today is Matthew 7:1, “Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged.” Many interpret this to mean that any kind of moral discernment is unloving. However, this interpretation ignores the full context of Scripture. Jesus was condemning hypocritical judgment, not righteous discernment (as we saw in last week’s article). Instead, we see in God’s Word that sometimes the most loving thing you can do is speak the truth in love. Scripture commands believers to exercise judgment in a godly manner as Paul describes in Galatians. Galatians 6:1 says, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.” It is a mark of Christian maturity to be able to help restore a brother or sister into faithful communion with God and His church as well as helping those who are apart from Christ know the truth of Jesus. Love does not mean ignoring sin—it means addressing it with truth and grace. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their hypocrisy (Matthew 23), corrected His disciples when they were wrong (Luke 9:55), and warned people about judgment (Matthew 10:28).
John also teaches that everyone born of God takes on His loving nature (1 John 4:7). Just as children resemble their parents, disciples of Jesus should resemble their heavenly Father in love. Ephesians 5:1 tells us that we are to emulate God and then in verse 2 we are told that we are to walk in love as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us. Love according to Jesus is not transactional nor is it conditional. Instead, love should reflect the same sacrifice of Jesus and the selflessness of Jesus.
Sadly, many churches are known more for division than for love. John warns that division comes from competing natures. When believers walk in the Spirit, they walk in unity. When they walk in the flesh, they sow discord. Too often, this is something that is forgotten in the church. There are times that we are overcome with the flesh and forget that a life in Christ is not a life about us. When love is the priority, it means that nothing is competing against it.
2. The PROOF
Love would be really simple if all we had to do is say, “I love you.” However, we know this is not the case. Saying you love someone without showing it could never be understood as true love. Lip service is easy but a love that is embedded in word and deed is costly. John writes, “God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His one and only Son into the world so that we might live through Him” (1 John 4:9).
In a world drowning in sin, we were hopeless and unable to save ourselves. The Bible describes us as dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1), lost (Luke 19:10), and under God’s wrath (John 3:36). Yet, God took the initiative by sending His one and only Son to rescue us. Just as Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac, his “one and only son” (Genesis 22; Hebrews 11:17), God the Father gave up Jesus, the unique and only begotten Son, as the ultimate gift of love. In many of our relationships, the guilty party seeks forgiveness and in loving kindness the other party forgives. With Jesus, this is not true. Instead, the innocent came and made the first move of reconciliation once and for all, redeeming the guilty by the blood of the innocent.
This is why John continues, “Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10). God’s love is not only about rescuing us. God’s love is also proven by satisfying His own wrath and judgment by placing it all on His only Son, Jesus.
3. The PRACTICE
If we have truly experienced God’s love, we will be quick to practice that love towards others. 1 John 4:11 says, “Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another.”
Unfortunately, it seems that the world does not recognize the church as a loving people. A survey found that young non-Christians in America see the church as judgmental (87%), hypocritical (85%), and insensitive (70%). Criticism is often unfair, but there could also be a lesson to learn from the church today. Too many times, we fail to reflect the love that we have in Christ.
Our ability to love others comes from remembering how much God has loved us. 1 John 4:12 says, “No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and His love is made complete in us.”
When Christians love as Christ loves, we become a living testimony of His presence in the world. The world cannot see God but should see Him reflected in His people. Love, apart from Christ, is completely and utterly powerless and cannot act in the way Christ is calling each of us. However, if you are in Christ, you have a supernatural love living in you, and His name is Jesus.
Start with your family.
Start with your spouse.
Start with your kids.
Start with your church.
Start with your co-workers.
Loving is hard. Loving is costly. Not loving will cost you more and will make your life more difficult.
Is this true love your priority?
Is the way you love others proof of God’s love in your life?
What kind of love do you practice?
A Prayer for today:
Lord, your love is greater than I could ever comprehend. Your love has no boundaries and no limits. The depth of your love is unknowable, and the value of your love is inconceivable. Yet, you love me. While I was a sinner and continue to sin, you love me. Thank you, that your love is not temporal or superficial, but instead, it is eternal and sacrificial. Thank you for proving your love by sending your only begotten Son to rescue me from my sins. Help me to love others in the same way so that they, too, may realize your great love for them.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
CALLING ALL MEN: GUYS’ NIGHT 2025!
Men, this is your night—a night of challenge, brotherhood, and real faith. On May 2 from 6:00-9:00 PM, we’re bringing together Dr. Robby Gallaty, and Tim Tebow for one EPIC night that will push you to grow as a man, leader, husband, father, and disciple of Jesus.
This one-night event is your chance to be challenged, sharpened, and strengthened in your walk with Christ. We’re talking bold truth, powerful testimonies, and real encouragement—plus some legit barbecue because, let’s be honest, no guys’ night is complete without it.
WHO’S IT FOR?
✔️ High school & college guys
✔️ Husbands & fathers
✔️ Grandfathers & mentors
✔️ Men who want more than just going through the motions
Cost is $25 per person
Bring your crew, grab your tickets, and get ready for a night that will fuel your faith and challenge you to step up as the man God has called you to be.
Don’t wait. Don’t sit this one out. Step up and be a part of something bigger!
THIS SUNDAY: “Marks of Transformation”
This Sunday, we are diving into Luke 3:21-22, where Jesus’ baptism reveals powerful truths about what it means to follow Him. This is more than a historical event—it’s a call for us to live boldly, pray faithfully, and rest in the presence of God. Come ready to worship, grow in your faith, and hear how this truth applies to your life. And don’t come alone—someone in your life needs to hear this message, and your simple invitation could change everything for them. We can’t wait to see you!
This Sunday at 9:30 am or 11:00 am at our Tyler Campus, Español Campus (Crosswalk of Tyler Campus at 11:00 am only) or our Flint Campus.
You are loved and prayed for!
Michael Gossett