Intentional Love: Love that Seeks and Speak
Hosea 3:1, John 4:3-4
4/22/2026
In the last few weeks, we learned about God’s unconditional love for us through his relentless pursuit and sacrifice. But God’s love isn’t just unconditional – it’s also intentional, meaning that God’s love is a planned and conscious decision. But what does this mean?
In Hosea chapter 3, God calls Hosea to love his wife, Gomer, who had led a life of adultery while she was with him. Two weeks ago, we learned how God’s commandment for Hosea to love his wife again, despite her unfaithfulness, reflected his unconditional love. But this passage also teaches us about intentional love. Hosea deliberately decided to seek his wife and love her again, despite her adultery, reflecting an intentional love rather than a love founded upon emotions. In other words, we can view intentional love as love that is actively seeking.
We can also find more moments of God’s intentional love through Jesus’ ministry. John chapter 4 tells us that Jesus traveled to Samaria, where he met a woman at the well. At the time, Jews typically despised Samaritans like the woman, yet Jesus made the active decision to go and talk to her. Like Hosea, who displayed intentional love through his effort to love his wife, Jesus also embodied intentional love by approaching the woman and extending his grace to her, despite social barriers.
Throughout his ministry, Jesus showed his intentional love by actively seeking and spending time with outcasts and sinners. The parable of the lost sheep exemplifies this idea, where, just like a shepherd who would leave behind the 99 sheep to find the one lost sheep, Jesus actively sought those who were far from him and lost, teaching us that Jesus’ love is active and deliberate (and therefore, intentional).
Just like how God shows intentional love to us, we are also called to show intentional love to others. We can do this by simply greeting new faces we see at church or house church, or reaching out to and serving those we aren’t very familiar with or haven’t seen in a long time. Even though many of us are shy and introverted, we shouldn’t let our nature decide our ability to mimic God’s love for us. Therefore, let’s try to practice intentional love for the people around us.
Discussion Questions:
Who is one person that God has called you to practice intentional love towards? How can you show that person intentional love?
What are some practical ways to help us practice active, intentional love for others?
Are there any areas in your life where you can be more intentional? If so, how?
