Question

what is the difference between God's love and our love???

Answer 1

We oftentimes hear people talk about showing love to others. They say that all we need is love (hmmm…sounds like a song). Many people believe they know what love is when they are really only living by certain feelings that they call ‘love’. Everyone wants to be loved and most people want to love others in return. However, do we really know what love is? The Bible speaks many times about love, and what it is. Let us look at a biblical definition of love and see in what ways it is different from its worldly counterpart.

God’s love is all-encompassing
God does not select only the beautiful people, or the rich, or the successful to love; He loves the world. He loves us so much that He gave His Son in order that the world could be saved, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:16-17 ESV cf. John 1:29). Notice that God’s love is for everyone in the world; whoever believes in Him.


We are to love others as God loves us. We are not to pick the nicest looking, most prestigious and popular people to love. God’s word even tells us to love our enemies (Luke 6:27-36). Jesus is our example and, as He was being crucified, He said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34 ESV).


Many times, the world’s idea of love is to love those who can further your career or those from whom you can get something that you need. This is not a godly love.

God’s love is sacrificial

BUT God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us

“For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:7-8 ESV). Jesus Christ, God in human flesh, endured the pain of the cross (Hebrews 12:2) because He loves us. Jesus gave up His place with God in heaven in order to come down to earth, experience humility, shame, suffering, and death; so that anyone who trusts in Him will be forgiven of their sins and can enjoy the close personal relationship with Him for which they were created. It is astonishing that He did this voluntarily; motivated by His love for us.

Answer 2

Human love is riddled with suffering because it is attached to response and reciprocation from the object of its affection. Human love defines itself by being loved in return and often seeks to control, even in the most subtle and sub-conscious of ways, its personal relationships. Human love can be hurtful, jealous, retaliatory, and driven to commit murder. It is limited in scope, has many conditions, and is reserved for a few close ones. Divine Love is given freely and without thought of return; it is unconditional, generous, kind, and compassionate. Divine Love lays down its life for another; it is selfless and always uplifting. Divine Love does not hurt the human heart, but surpasses it. The human heart is but a starting place where true and pure love springs forth and joins with the Eternal Heart of God. Divine Love cannot be controlled, manipulated, bribed or bought; it is free from vanity and self-aggrandizement; it is as wide and limitless as the universal sky. Divine Love does not shed tears for itself but for the suffering of others. It is the mainstay of Saints and bears the crosses of the Saviors. It cannot be burned, drowned, cut or suffocated. And you will find it not in the churches of men, but in the House of the Lord God Almighty. You will find it hidden within yourself, ready to be revealed when the last vestiges of ego have been torn away and the full strength of your soul can shine forth and light the world.