When people talk about the love of God, and growing in knowledge of God's love, people tend to think that this love is about doing more.
What does the Bible say?
First, let us consider the prayer which Paul prayed to the Spirit-filled Ephesians:
"14For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." (Ephesians 3: 14-19)
Even though Paul had spent the two previous chapters telling the Ephesians that God the Father seated His Son at His right hand, and that they are seated in Christ, and that all things are under their feet, he did not stop there. He told them to gain a revelation of this great love that God has for us.
That Christ would dwell, or rather be at home in their hearts.
In other words, that the would identify with Him completely.
Turning to First John, we see a growing understanding of God's love is not about what we do, but who we are in Him.
"9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." (1 John 4: 9)
Now, this is what love looks like. God sent His Son, that we might live through Him.
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