The evangelist John, in his first letter, declares: “Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:8)
Notice that John does not say that God has a lot of love, or that He is the greatest expression of love, or even that He possesses the highest form of love ever known. No—he says simply and profoundly: God IS love.
Take a moment to absorb what this means: He is love itself.
We also know from Scripture and tradition that God is infinite—without limit. Everything in creation, no matter how vast or powerful, is finite. The seas contain a measurable amount of water. The energy in an atom has a quantifiable magnitude. Even the heat of the sun has an upper limit.
But God has no limits—in any sense.
To say that God is infinitely perfect means that there is nothing good, desirable, or valuable that He does not possess in an absolutely unlimited degree. In theology, we say that the perfections of God are identical with His essence—they are what He is. This means that, to be precise, we should not say “God is good,” but “God is Goodness”; nor “God is wise,” but “God is Wisdom,” etc.
God is also described in Scripture with many other divine attributes: Omniscient – He knows everything (cf. Psalm 139:1–16), Benevolent – He desires only what is good (cf. 1 John 4:8), Omnipotent – He can do all things (cf. Job 40:1), Omnipresent – He is everywhere at once (cf. Psalm 139:7–10), Immutable – He does not change (cf. Psalm 102:27; Revelation 1:8), One and Unique – There is no other like Him (cf. Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 45:5).
All Scripture reveals to us a loving Father: One who knows us deeply, Who is always with us, Who loves us unconditionally, no matter what.
In January 1999, Barry Adams[1] published a project online[2] called Father’s Love Letter[3]. He compiled passages from the Holy Scriptures into a personal message from God the Father to His children. Here is that letter:
My Child, you may not know me, but I know everything about you (Psalm 139:1). I know when you sit down and when you rise up (Psalm 139:2). I am familiar with all your ways (Psalm 139:3). Even the very hairs on your head are numbered (Matthew 10:29–31). For you were made in my image (Genesis 1:27). In me you live and move and have your being (Acts 17:28), for you are my offspring (Acts 17:28). I knew you even before you were conceived (Jeremiah 1:4–5). I chose you when I planned creation (Ephesians 1:11–12). You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book (Psalm 139:15–16). I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live (Acts 17:26). You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). I knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13) and brought you forth on the day you were born (Psalm 71:6). I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me (John 8:41–44). I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love (1 John 4:16), and it is my desire to lavish my love on you (1 John 3:1), simply because you are my child and I am your Father (1 John 3:1). I offer you more than your earthly father ever could (Matthew 7:11), for I am the perfect Father (Matthew 5:48). Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand (James 1:17), for I am your provider and I meet all your needs (Matthew 6:31–33). My plan for your future has always been filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11), because I love you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore (Psalm 139:17–18), and I rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). I will never stop doing good to you (Jeremiah 32:40), for you are my treasured possession (Exodus 19:5). I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul (Jeremiah 32:41), and I want to show you great and marvelous things (Jeremiah 33:3). If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me (Deuteronomy 4:29). Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4), for it is I who gave you those desires (Philippians 2:13). I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine (Ephesians 3:20), for I am your greatest encourager (2 Thessalonians 2:16–17). I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles (2 Corinthians 1:3–4). When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you (Psalm 34:18). As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart (Isaiah 40:11). One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes and take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth (Revelation 21:3–4). I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my Son, Jesus (John 17:23), for in Jesus, my love for you is revealed (John 17:26). He is the exact representation of my being (Hebrews 1:3). He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you (Romans 8:31), and to tell you that I am not counting your sins (2 Corinthians 5:18–19). Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled (2 Corinthians 5:18–19). His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you (1 John 4:10). I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love (Romans 8:31–32). If you receive the gift of my Son Jesus, you receive me (1 John 2:23), and nothing will ever separate you from my love again (Romans 8:38–39). Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen (Luke 15:7). I have always been Father and will always be Father (Ephesians 3:14–15). My question is… Will you be my child? (John 1:12–13). I am waiting for you (Luke 15:11–32). Love, Your Dad, Almighty God
With all this in mind, it becomes much easier to appreciate that beautiful phrase spoken by Jesus and recorded by the evangelist Matthew: “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him?” (Matthew 7:11)
[1] Co-founder of Father Heart Communications and associate pastor of Westview Christian Fellowship.
[2]www.FathersLoveLetter.com
[3] Father’s Love Letter, by permission of Father Heart Communications © 1999 www.FathersLoveLetter.com
