What does it mean that God demonstrates His love (Romans 5:8)?

Answer  
  

[Love](Bible-teach-God-is-love.html) is a fundamental attribute of God, and numerous Bible passages declare this glorious truth. One such passage is Romans 5:8, which states, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This depiction of love has inspired many to pledge their allegiance to Jesus, even to the point of death. God’s love should be known, relished, celebrated, and held close to our hearts.  
  

The Bible serves as God’s special revelation to us, unveiling His attributes and showing us what love is. God manifested His love through sacrifice, by taking on human flesh in the Person of Jesus and redeeming us from the consequences of sin. John 3:16 immediately comes to mind, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  
  

Love is not a static emotion; love *acts*. Sacrificial love of the type God demonstrated toward us amazes us because we know how challenging it is to give up something valuable for the sake of another. Movies like *Titanic* achieved global success due, in part, to the theme of sacrifice. What is even more astounding about God’s demonstration of love is that He gave His life for His enemies. Even on the cross, Jesus prayed for the forgiveness of those murdering Him (Luke 23:34\). Christianity is unique in this regard as it is the only religion that welcomes the ungodly: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6\). In other belief systems, humanity is left to work their way up toward God, but in Christianity God came down to us.  
  

The apostle John also reflected on God’s love in his letter: “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:9–10\).  
  

It is worth noting that God demonstrated His love in a manner that does not contradict His justice and holiness. On the cross, Jesus [fulfilled](abolish-fulfill-law.html) the just requirements of the law and displayed God’s holiness by bearing God’s wrath against sin. Christ’s atoning work granted God the freedom to exhibit His grace and mercy side by side with His judgment, all for His glory.  
  

The transformative effect of God’s love and grace has softened many hard hearts and filled them with gratitude. Countless depraved individuals have experienced what was described in the old hymn: “The vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives” ([Crosby, F. J.](Fanny-Crosby.html), “To God Be the Glory,” 1875\). A prime example is the apostle Paul, who converted from an enemy of Christianity to one of its greatest evangelists.  
  

God’s love was not theoretical. It was demonstrated; it was proved in Christ. Ultimately, God’s love provides the foundation for our love toward others. Once again, we find guidance from John: “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7\).  
  

