It wouldn’t surprise anyone to hear that love hurts. Love is supposed to be this beautiful gift, but it often becomes a harmful weapon. It ruins families, friendships, and hearts. Why? Because our love is sinful and broken.
We manipulate others with it and make it transactional. We expect something in return. We demand to be loved unconditionally, yet our love is anything but. Even our best intentions fall short and we hurt the people we love.
So what is biblical love?
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.
God’s Love is Different
God’s love doesn’t look like ours. His love is patient. He tolerates our rebellion again and again without lashing out. He doesn’t have a long fuse… He has no fuse.
His kindness is never stern or cold. He smiles when He sees you. He gives good gifts. His eyes are full of kindness, not disappointment.
God’s love isn’t envious. Even though we give our hearts to idols, He continues to give us grace. He’s not jealous of our affections. He just keeps pouring out more grace, more forgiveness, more love.
The Humility and Gentleness of Christ
God’s love doesn’t boast or act arrogantly. It humbles itself. It looks like washing feet. It looks like suffering for people who have nothing to offer in return. It rides into towns on donkeys and walks to crosses to die.
It looks like being spit on, mocked, and crucified—all for love. God’s love for you is humble and sacrificial. He went to the cross not thinking about what was best for Himself, but what was best for you.
God’s love is never rude. He doesn’t shame you, ignore you, snap at you, or roll His eyes. He listens and leans in with gentleness.
And He never insists on His own way. He doesn’t say, “You better love Me back.” All the demands of the law were met in Christ, and now God just loves you—freely, fully, forever.
No Irritation or Record of Sin
God never gets irritated with you. He’s never annoyed, even when you fail or ask the same question for the hundredth time. He doesn’t get tired of your prayers. He doesn’t scoff at your weakness.
He doesn’t resent you, because He already resented His Son in your place. On your worst day, when everyone else might reject you—He draws closer.
God doesn’t keep a tally of your sins. You might, and others will—but He won’t. Because of Jesus, there’s no longer a record to hold against you.
When you ask for forgiveness, He says, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” You were forgiven before you were born. That’s how thorough Christ’s cross really is.
A Love That Tells the Truth and Endures
Because God loves you, He rejoices in the truth. You don’t have to hide or pretend. You can be fully known and fully loved.
You can tell the truth about how broken you are, and how much grace you need, because He already knows, and He already loves.
God’s love bears all things. It believes, hopes, and endures all things. It doesn’t give up.
People will give up on you. But God won’t. His love doesn’t quit when you’re difficult. It doesn’t get tired. It never throws in the towel.
And because His love is perfect, you’re free from performing and trying to earn your place. You are perfectly loved by God through Jesus Christ.
Welcome Home Hugs
My family does this thing we call Welcome Home Hugs. It’s silly and beautiful. When someone walks through the door, we stop what we’re doing and go hug them.
At Disney World, cast members playing characters are trained to hug children for as long as the kid wants—until the child lets go. No rejection or conditions. Just arms wide open.
It reminds me of God’s love.
One day, when I die, I imagine Jesus seeing my name in the Book of Life, stopping what He’s doing, running straight to me, and giving me a Welcome Home Hug. Not because I’m worthy—but because He loves me.
And if you believe in Jesus, He’ll do the same for you.
You don’t need to earn it. You don’t need to clean yourself up first. You don’t need to be impressive. You just need to come with empty hands and trust Him.
Our Only Hope
If you’re not trusting in Christ, God’s love is not on you. You’re still trying to earn what only Christ can give.
The good news is this: you can stop trying.
Jesus offers His perfect record, His death, and His resurrection for you. Not based on a prayer, a feeling, or a work, but on grace. It’s a free gift to cover every sin and secure eternal life.
While we wait for that welcome home hug, what do we do?
We rest in the finished work of Christ. We remember that we are fully loved. We stop performing and pretending. We love our families with the grace we’ve received. We serve our neighbors not to earn God’s favor, but because we already have it.
You are free to be honest. Free to repent. Free to forgive. Free to be amazed that God would love any of us this much.
You are loved, forever, without condition. It’s amazing grace.
This article is a recap of a sermon preached by elder Bryce Hacker at Good Shepherd Bible Church on Sunday, June 15, 2025 entitled Grace Despite Our Messy Love. This sermon continues our six-week summer series titled Grace in the Mess. This sermon and others are available for listening on the Good Shepherd Bible Church Sermon Podcast.
Good Shepherd Bible Church is an Acts 29 church located in Pataskala, OH serving the eastern Columbus area.
We invite you to explore our website to learn more about GSBC, consider connecting at our church, or read about our core beliefs.