Transformative Power of God's Unconditional Love

Summary

At Christ’s Way, the heartbeat of our community is rooted in the mission and vision God has given us: “Love is why.” This isn’t just a slogan—it’s the foundation of everything we do. Love is why Christ died for us, and our love for Him is why we follow His commands. This love is not a human, conditional love, but a perfect, overwhelming, and unconditional love that God lavishes on us. Too often, we settle for knowing about God’s love intellectually, but we stop short of truly believing it in a way that transforms our lives. Belief is what moves us from passive knowledge to active, life-changing faith.

John, the apostle, wrote 1 John late in his life, wrestling with why he was still here after so many of his friends and family had gone. The Holy Spirit led him to pen words that would help us grasp the depth of God’s love—a love that is the very essence of God Himself. When we move from simply knowing about God’s love to truly believing it, everything changes. Belief in God’s love compels us to share it with others, to long for time in His presence, to sin less out of love rather than obligation, and to praise Him with genuine joy.

God’s love is not like ours. It is perfect, unconditional, eternal, and true. It casts out fear, gives us confidence for the day of judgment, and anchors us in hope. We don’t have to earn it, and we can’t lose it by our failures. Even when we were still sinners, Christ died for us. This love is not permissive or weak—it is strong enough to bring truth and discipline, because God loves us too much to let us destroy ourselves. The greater the love, the greater the wrath against anything that would harm those He loves.

Understanding this love should change us. It should make us bold in sharing the gospel, eager to worship, and confident in our eternal future. God made the first move—He loved us first. Our response is to step deeper into that love, let it transform us, and let it overflow to those around us. Love is why Christ died for us, and when we truly grasp that, it changes everything.

Key Takeaways

- Believing God’s love is different from merely knowing it. Intellectual knowledge of God’s love is common, but true belief is what transforms our actions, priorities, and relationships. When belief takes root, it compels us to live differently, to trust more deeply, and to act with boldness and compassion. The difference between knowing and believing is the difference between standing on the edge and leaping into God’s arms. [33:10]

- God’s love is perfect, unconditional, and eternal—unlike any human love we’ve experienced. Our tendency is to project our own conditional, limited love onto God, but His love is not based on our performance or worthiness. Even in our worst moments, His love remains steadfast, and nothing we do can earn or forfeit it. This truth brings freedom from fear and striving, anchoring us in the security of His grace. [52:37]

- Perfect love casts out fear and gives us confidence, even in the face of judgment. Many live with anxiety about their standing before God, but understanding His perfect love replaces fear with assurance. Judgment for the believer is not something to dread, but a moment of reward and celebration, because Christ’s love has already secured our place. This confidence is a mark of truly grasping the gospel. [44:54]

- The depth of God’s love should move us to action—sharing the gospel, pursuing holiness, and worshiping with abandon. If we truly believe that love is why Christ died for us, we cannot keep it to ourselves. We are compelled to tell others, to seek God’s presence, to turn from sin out of love rather than duty, and to praise Him with all our hearts. The more we understand His love, the more it overflows into every area of our lives. [38:03]

- God’s love is both gracious and true; it disciplines as well as embraces. True love does not permit us to destroy ourselves, but brings truth and correction for our good. The strength of God’s love is seen in both His mercy and His wrath against evil. The more deeply we understand His love, the more we see that His commands and discipline are expressions of His care, not restrictions on our joy. [54:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Invitation to Elder Ordination
[02:45] - Celebrating Life Groups and Leaders
[06:30] - The Importance of Mission and Vision
[10:15] - “Love is Why” – Our Mission Explained
[14:20] - Sharing the Mission with the Community
[18:05] - Do We Really Understand God’s Love?
[22:30] - The Story Behind 1 John
[26:55] - Knowing vs. Believing God’s Love
[33:10] - How Belief Changes Us
[36:03] - Why We Struggle to Share God’s Love
[38:03] - The Transforming Power of God’s Love
[41:37] - God’s Love is Perfect and Unconditional
[44:54] - Confidence in Judgment and the Reality of Heaven
[52:37] - Perfect Love Casts Out Fear
[54:28] - Love, Truth, and God’s Discipline
[58:01] - Responding to Perfect Love

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Love Is Why"

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### Bible Reading

1 John 4:16-19 (ESV)
> So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us.

Romans 5:8 (ESV)
> But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

John 3:16 (ESV)
> For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

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### Observation Questions

1. According to 1 John 4:16, what is the difference between knowing and believing the love God has for us? How does John describe the result of abiding in God’s love? [33:10]
2. In Romans 5:8, when did God show His love for us, and what does this say about the nature of His love? [52:37]
3. What does John 3:16 say is the reason God gave His only Son, and what is the result for those who believe? [40:14]
4. The sermon mentions that perfect love casts out fear. According to 1 John 4:18, what is the relationship between fear and love? [52:37]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon draws a line between knowing about God’s love and truly believing it. Why does the speaker say that belief, not just knowledge, is what transforms our lives? [33:10]
2. The pastor says that God’s love is not like human love—it is perfect, unconditional, and eternal. How does this contrast with the way we often experience or give love in our own lives? [37:03]
3. The message claims that understanding God’s perfect love gives us confidence for the day of judgment, rather than fear. Why is this confidence important for how we live now? [44:54]
4. The sermon says that God’s love is both gracious and true, meaning it disciplines as well as embraces. How does this understanding of love challenge common ideas about what it means for God to love us? [54:28]

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### Application Questions

1. The pastor said, “Believing is when you jump out of a plane with the parachute, not just knowing it’s there.” Is there an area of your life where you know about God’s love but haven’t really trusted or acted on it? What would it look like to “jump” in that area? [33:10]
2. The sermon challenges us to move from just knowing about God’s love to truly believing it. What is one practical step you could take this week to let God’s love transform your actions or priorities? [29:56]
3. The message says that if we really believe God’s love, we will want to share it with others. Who is one person in your life who needs to hear about God’s love, and what is a specific way you could reach out to them? [36:03]
4. The pastor mentioned that understanding God’s love should make us want to spend more time with Him, not out of obligation but out of desire. What keeps you from spending time with God, and how could remembering His love help change that? [37:03]
5. The sermon says that perfect love casts out fear, including fear of judgment and fear of not being good enough. Is there a fear in your life that you need to bring to God’s love? How can you remind yourself of His perfect love when that fear comes up? [52:37]
6. The message talks about God’s love being both embracing and disciplining. Can you think of a time when God’s love brought correction or discipline in your life? How did that experience help you grow? [54:28]
7. The pastor said, “Love is why Christ died for us, and when we truly grasp that, it changes everything.” What is one area of your life that you hope will be changed as you grow in understanding God’s love? [58:01]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help each person in the group move from just knowing about His love to truly believing it, so that it transforms their lives, relationships, and witness to others.

Devotional

Day 1: Knowing vs. Believing God’s Love

Many people know intellectually that God loves them, but there is a profound difference between knowing and truly believing it. Believing God’s love means letting it change your actions, your confidence, and your relationship with Him. When you move from simply knowing about God’s love to actually believing it, your life is transformed—you begin to live with assurance, joy, and a desire to share that love with others. The challenge is to move beyond head knowledge and allow God’s perfect love to take root in your heart, changing the way you see yourself and the world. [33:10]

1 John 4:16 (ESV)
“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you still act as if God’s love is conditional or uncertain? What would it look like to truly believe—rather than just know—His love for you today?


Day 2: The Free Gift of God’s Love

God’s love is not something we can earn or deserve; it is a free gift, given out of His perfect and unconditional love for us. This gift is so extraordinary that it should fill us with awe and gratitude—He gave His only Son so that we could have eternal life. When we grasp the reality of this gift, it compels us to share it with others, because it is too wonderful to keep to ourselves. God’s love is not like human love, which often comes with strings attached; His love is pure, sacrificial, and freely given. [40:14]

John 3:16 (ESV)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about the free gift of God’s love? How can you share this truth with them in a genuine and loving way this week?


Day 3: Perfect Love Casts Out Fear

God’s love is perfect, and perfect love drives out all fear. When you understand and accept the depth of God’s love, you no longer need to fear judgment, rejection, or punishment. His love is not based on your performance or worthiness; it is unconditional, eternal, and true. This perfect love gives you confidence before God and frees you from the anxieties that come from trying to earn His approval. When you live in the reality of His perfect love, fear loses its grip on your heart and you can approach God with boldness and joy. [52:37]

1 John 4:18 (ESV)
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”

Reflection: What fear or anxiety do you need to surrender to God’s perfect love today? How might your life look different if you truly believed that His love casts out all fear?


Day 4: God’s Love is True and Transforming

God’s love is not only unconditional and eternal, but it is also true—it brings correction, discipline, and guidance because He wants the best for you. True love does not let you wander aimlessly or self-destruct; it speaks truth, even when it’s hard, and calls you to grow into the fullness of Christ. God’s love is not permissive or indifferent; it is strong enough to confront sin and lead you into abundant life. When you embrace the truth of God’s love, you are no longer tossed about by circumstances or false teachings, but are anchored in His purpose and grace. [56:10]

Ephesians 4:14-15 (ESV)
“So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”

Reflection: Is there a truth God is speaking to you in love that you have been resisting? How can you respond to His loving correction and grow closer to Him today?


Day 5: Love is Why—Letting God’s Love Change Everything

The foundation of the Christian life is that “love is why”—love is why Christ died for us, and our love for Him is why we follow His commands. When you truly understand and receive God’s perfect love, it changes everything: your worship, your relationships, your willingness to serve, and your desire to share the gospel. God made the first move, loving you before you ever loved Him, and invites you to live out that love in every area of your life. As you step deeper into His love, let it overflow into praise, service, and a life that points others to the greatest love story ever told. [58:01]

Romans 5:8 (ESV)
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can let God’s love change your actions, words, or attitude today so that others see “love is why” in your life?

Quotes

Knowing is intellectual. It's something you come together with. But do you believe it? Because believing will change your actions, right? Believing. A lot of people know. Oh, I know. I know God loves me. I know. I know. But do they believe it? [00:33:14] (15 seconds)  #FromKnowingToBelieving Edit Clip

Believing is when you jump out of a plane with it. That is it. Believing changes your actions. That's what believing does. Knowing, yeah, I know. But believing is when it comes in and takes resident and changes you. [00:33:49] (16 seconds)  #BeliefTransformsAction Edit Clip

When you understand God's love, you're going to sin less just because you know it breaks his heart. When you sin, you're going, ah, but my love and my passion, my glory, I feel like I've just hurt the depths of someone I love so greatly. It will cause you to sin less. It really will. It's not because of a checks and balance. It's not because God's trying to control you. No, it's because you love him and his love is so deep, so great. [00:37:55] (28 seconds)  #LoveLeadsToRepentance Edit Clip

God is perfect. His love is perfect. And whoever abides in love, abides in God. Careful here. Careful. And God abides in him. So, what John is saying is, is understanding the love of God is the gospel, is salvation, is reality. Knowing it. And when you know that love, His love abides in you. [00:42:33] (27 seconds)  #AbidingInPerfectLove Edit Clip

Perfect love, perfect love is unconditional. You can see it. It's unconditional. It's not based on you. You know, the scripture says, right? While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Do y 'all know that? Is there amen in the house? Do y 'all know that that's true? While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. So, your goodness did not earn it. And if you didn't earn it, you can't lose it. [00:53:08] (27 seconds)  #UnconditionalPerfectLove Edit Clip

God's love is greater and more powerful than my sin. And that is the reason I have no fear. It's unconditional. Not only is it unconditional, it's eternal. It's eternal. It's forever and ever. He has it forever. He's not. If you didn't get it, you can't lose it. He's the one who's, he provided it, he made it, he paid for it, and he laid it out for us. And he's eternal. If our goodness didn't buy our salvation, our sin isn't going to lose it. [00:53:59] (36 seconds)  #EternalUnshakableLove Edit Clip

We love because he first loved us God made the first move you didn't God made the first move you didn't make it first move he didn't even make the first move he had the first move even in Genesis he had the first move it's always been his move he is showing his love the greatest love story of all times is written in our scripture and when we understand that love it will change us when we understand that love and when you take a deeper breath into it it's not like our love it's a perfect love and we get to experience it and we get to share it. [00:59:02] (39 seconds)  #FirstMoveLove Edit Clip