“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.” (1John 4:16 NKJ)
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.” (1John 4:16 NKJ)
We could spend a
lifetime studying this passage. God’s love is almost incomprehensible. Love
begins in him. It is only through a relationship with him that we have true
love. It is only by maintaining this relationship that we remain in God’s love.
lifetime studying this passage. God’s love is almost incomprehensible. Love
begins in him. It is only through a relationship with him that we have true
love. It is only by maintaining this relationship that we remain in God’s love.
It is so easy to
love God. After all, He loved us first and gave his son to be our Savior. The
Cross of Calvary is clear evidence that he loved us first. It is easy to love
someone who has sacrificed himself for us.
love God. After all, He loved us first and gave his son to be our Savior. The
Cross of Calvary is clear evidence that he loved us first. It is easy to love
someone who has sacrificed himself for us.
John connects God’s
love to our loving one another (read verses 7-21). He virtually insists that
our love for one another is evidence of whether we have a true relationship
with God. And that is the challenge. We enjoy those who are like us. We even
like those who are likeable and lovable. We are tempted to ignore John’s
teaching, however, when it forces us to consider our attitudes toward those
among us who rub us the wrong way. The obnoxious ones. The contrary ones. The
grubby ones. The snooty ones. The ignorant ones. Yes, we all know them.
love to our loving one another (read verses 7-21). He virtually insists that
our love for one another is evidence of whether we have a true relationship
with God. And that is the challenge. We enjoy those who are like us. We even
like those who are likeable and lovable. We are tempted to ignore John’s
teaching, however, when it forces us to consider our attitudes toward those
among us who rub us the wrong way. The obnoxious ones. The contrary ones. The
grubby ones. The snooty ones. The ignorant ones. Yes, we all know them.
But, it isn’t John
who commanded us to love one another. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give
unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one
another” St. John 13:34 (KJV). He also repeated this command two more times to
the twelve (St. John 15:12 & 17). I believe he meant it, don’t you?
who commanded us to love one another. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give
unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one
another” St. John 13:34 (KJV). He also repeated this command two more times to
the twelve (St. John 15:12 & 17). I believe he meant it, don’t you?
Perhaps we need to
stop making excuses and begin to show true love to our brothers and sisters.
After all, it is evidence that we are in God and God is in us.
stop making excuses and begin to show true love to our brothers and sisters.
After all, it is evidence that we are in God and God is in us.
Dear Father, thank
you for the love you bestow upon us who believe. Grant that we may show the
quality of love that expresses our relationship with you. I pray this in the
name of Jesus. AMEN
you for the love you bestow upon us who believe. Grant that we may show the
quality of love that expresses our relationship with you. I pray this in the
name of Jesus. AMEN
Show God’s love
today,
today,