Commanded to Love God

At the heart of the City of Love is the profound command to love God wholeheartedly. When asked by an expert in Mosaic law about the greatest commandment, Jesus responded with these timeless words:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself (unselfishly seeking the best or higher good for others). The whole Law and the writings of the Prophets depend on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:35–40).

This teaching is the foundation of our mission: to love God fully and to reflect that love by serving others selflessly. It’s not merely an obligation but a calling to embody love in action, fostering a community where kindness, generosity, and compassion flourish.

Love as the Essence of God

The Bible reminds us that love is more than a feeling—it is the very essence of God’s nature. As the Apostle John wrote:
“Beloved, let us (unselfishly) love and seek the best for one another, for love is from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God (through personal experience). The one who does not love has not truly known God, for God is love. He is the originator of love, and it is an enduring attribute of His nature” (1 John 4:7–8).

This passage calls us to experience God’s love personally and to share it freely with others. Love is the hallmark of those who know God, a divine gift meant to inspire unity and transformation within our community and beyond.

God’s Love Displayed Through Christ

God’s love is not just spoken but demonstrated powerfully through Jesus Christ:
“By this, the love of God was displayed in us: God sent His one and only begotten Son (the unique, one of a kind) into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice and satisfying offering) for our sins” (1 John 4:9–10).

This sacrificial love is the cornerstone of the City of Love. It reminds us that our capacity to love originates from God’s boundless grace and mercy. As we embrace this love, we are called to reflect it in our actions, building a community that glorifies Him through service, compassion, and faith.

By embracing these principles, the City of Love is more than a community—it is a testament to God’s enduring love and a living example of His transformative power.