And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. (I John 4:16)

If I were to ask you to think about certain products and their associated symbols better known as trademarks, most of you would have no difficulty in associating these in your mind. For instance, if I mentioned Apple, you would picture an apple with a stem and a bite taken out of it. If I mentioned McDonald’s, you would quickly see those golden arches. How about Nike, that famous check mark. And we certainly cannot leave out Blue Bell with the sweet little girl leading the jersey cow.

A trademark identifies the brand owner of a particular product or service and is a recognizable sign, design, or expression which identifies products or services of a particular source distinct from those of others. Companies spend millions of dollars annually to make sure that their product is sure to be seen and noticed by the public. The law considers a trademark to be a form of property and many companies will at times take another party or company to court due to their symbol resembling in similarity to theirs.

God also has His own trademark. Something that sets Him apart from anyone or anything that has been or ever will be. His trademark identifies who He is in His totality and His nature as God. God’s trademark is LOVE. To fully understand and know who God is, one must begin and end with His Love. This Love was fully expressed when Jesus died on the cross and fulfilled what God the Father sent Him to do. I John 4:8 reads Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. Many times people will say they love someone only because of what may be in the deal for them. Much like the girl who had written a “love” note to her ex-boyfriend which read: “Oh, I’m so sorry for breaking up with you. I’m not sure what I was thinking. Now I know you are the only one for me. Let’s please give it one more try. Signed, Your Sweetheart”. P.S. Congratulations for winning the lottery! Of course this is in complete contradictory of what we read about Love in I Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

And just like companies that have people in advertising to make their product known, God also desires to have His own people be His advertising agency to make His product, His trademark, His very nature known to the world. He has called us, His Church, His Children, His Beloved, to lift up His only Son Jesus which points them to the Father. Jesus said in John 12:32 “…when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” Dear friends, God has entrusted you and I with the mission of each and everyday sharing His Love through His Holy Spirit within us to those He places in our path. Let’s begin to live with passion and purpose to seeing the world around us come into the knowledge of God’s Love through Christ. It truly is up to you and I. 

Remain blessed,