The Mystery and Depth of God's Love

God tells us He is love, 1 John 4:16, "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." Does this mean those living with God for eternity become part of His love? If so, how does that work? Love is a mystery and is more powerful than we can imagine. But does love affect life, health, and death?

This blog will frequently reference Makai Allbert's article "Love Changes the Heart—More Than Metaphorically" (the article), which was published in February 2025. Here is a link to that article: Love Changes the Heart.

There are countless people who feel unwanted and unloved. The despair this causes leads some to cross the divide of the unthinkable and take their own lives. Some are pulled back from the edge by the love given to them by others. If only everyone could know how much God loves them, John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

God is not watching this world like a program being streamed. He actually cares and is involved. He wants everyone to come to Him, 2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." His longsuffering demonstrates His patience as we traverse this world, weighted down by our arrogance and pride. We don't believe Creator God could know more than we do, Isaiah 55:8-9, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Only when we finally learn this truth are we willing to listen to God and His wisdom.

Learning that God's love for us is real and that He has been patiently waiting for us to understand allows us to experience His love, thus returning it to Him and everyone else. God loves everyone, unlike our natural instinct to love only those who love us, Matthew 5:46-47, "For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?" This difference is the key to understanding God's love. If He loves everyone, then no one is unloved. There isn't anything we can do to earn His love because He has already gifted it to us. The struggle ends. Those unwanted feelings dissipate. The peaceful warmth of His love changes us, our lives, and the lives of everyone in our community.

The lives of those around us change. Death is no longer something to fear since death is but the doorway to eternity with God. Goals change; we find purpose in helping others cross over to the truth and love God gives. The things of this world grow strangely dim as we see everything in the light of eternity. The physical changes in our bodies are part of the DNA He programmed to respond this way. We become healthier as our bodies activate the systems that produce healthier outcomes. (the article)

There is a small hospital in Loma Linda, California, where two of my friends went for treatment for prostate cancer. After their successful treatment, they both talked about the holistic atmosphere that was part of the treatment. It was a community of patients and caregivers constantly offering God's love in addition to the treatment. They even have a bench in the garden with a statue of Jesus so patients can sit with Jesus, pray, and talk.

So, when we are told that oxytocin, commonly referred to as the "love hormone," is key in emotions such as attraction, trust, and bonding, we can consider it a coincidence or credit God's created order. When God tells us that our emotional state affects our health, Proverbs 17:22, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." and Proverbs 14:30, "A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones." and Philippians 4:7, "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." After years of research and study, the medical community is beginning to understand these verses. (the article) God's peace is offered to all through Jesus, John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Studies have shown that people in loving relationships heal faster than those in unloving ones. (the article)

Love's mystical properties are seen throughout medical research. (the article) We can choose to ignore the evidence. We can choose to reject God and His loving medicine. Or we can begin by accepting God's love, returning it to Him, and finally to everyone else we meet, which leads to the abundant life that Jesus came to bring us, John 10:10, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

Does love affect life, health, and death? Yes. It makes us healthier, our lives more abundant, and eliminates the fear of death. There is no better medicine than love. It is free and available in unlimited quantities. Jesus is knocking; just open the door, Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."

God has placed us in unique places throughout this world. This blog is about sharing His Word; please share it with those you believe would be blessed by hearing it. Bless you! If you want to receive the Quarterly Newsletter, email us at bill@reasoningwithgod.com. If you want to read past blogs, go to https://www.reasoningwithgod.com/blog.