God Is Love, But...

What does the “but” mean? 

We know that God is love, but we have a way of qualifying that truth. With elaborate arguments and explanations we intone, “God is love, but not for all people.” “God is love, but not all the time.” “God is love, but even His love has limits.”

John, the loved disciple, used not even one qualifier. He simply left it at “God is love.”

So, if we ever find ourselves thinking, “God is love, but…” we are moving into a discussion of something besides God.” It may be a very worthwhile discussion. It may have to do with the ways we do or don’t respond to His love. It may be about some of the situations in which we misunderstand His love. It may illustrate ways in which we have misapplied His love. It may be a fine and helpful discussion, but it will be about something outside the nature of the God who is love.

I would repeat: Anytime you hear someone say (or even imply) “God is love, but…” be aware that they are beginning to talk about something outside of God.