In the rich tapestry of Christian theology, one thread shines unmistakably bright—the enduring, unfailing love of God. This love isn’t superficial; it emanates from the very marrow of divine essence. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul describes this love as patient, kind, and devoid of envy or pride. Most strikingly, he tells us that love “never fails.” What does this tell us about the divine nature of love, and how does it relate to our quest for fulfillment?
The Marrow of Love
Paul writes in Ephesians 1:4-5, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.” This isn’t just about God acting lovingly; it’s about God being Love. “In love” is not the manner in which love is given but the marrow from which it flows. It is the intrinsic quality of the divine.
The Love-Fulfillment Connection
When love is understood as the very core of God’s being, the connection between divine love and our fulfillment becomes clear. Love never fails because it never gives up; it never quits. This enduring nature of love implies that our fulfillment is not a mere by-product of right living or moral uprightness. Instead, it’s a direct outcome of participating in the divine love that “never fails.”
Why Love Matters in the Cycle of Fulfillment
Recall our earlier discussions about reconciliation and forgiveness. These acts are not separate from love; they are the tangible manifestations of it. When we enter into acts of reconciliation, we don’t just adhere to a moral code; we partake in the essence of God, which is Love. Thus, fulfillment becomes a natural outcome, not an isolated goal. We are fulfilled because we are aligned with the eternal, unfailing love of God.
How Love Sustains Our Fulfillment
The permanency of God’s love as described in Scriptures like Romans 8:38-39—”For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”—assures us that our fulfillment has both a strong foundation and an eternal continuity.
Conclusion: The Everlasting Loop of Love and Fulfillment
In summary, the unfailing love of God serves as both the source and sustainer of our fulfillment. It’s an eternal loop that reinforces itself—the more we are fulfilled in love, the more capable we are of manifesting that love through acts like forgiveness and reconciliation, which in turn further our sense of fulfillment.
It’s not merely about actions, attitudes, or affections; it’s about participating in the essential, enduring nature of God. And in that profound participation, we find what our hearts have been yearning for—true, lasting fulfillment.
To find more of my thoughts on this, listen to the teaching on the subject here.