1 John 4:8-9 (KJV)
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
God Is Love, So Let’s Get to Know Him (& Live a Better Christian Life)
3rd quarter of 16th century (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Ok, let’s get real. Love is not easy. Love is a miracle. One of the big hints that love is a miracle is in 1 John 4: 8, which says “God is love.” God is bigger, higher and deeper than anything we know or can imagine, so it stands to reason that anything that is the essence of God requires a supernatural act for us to have.
There are many religions that disagree with this. For instance, Mormons don’t believe in original sin. They believe that humans are not born with a sin nature, but are born pure. This is not what the Bible says. Romans 3: 23 tells us that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” The word “all” includes everyone, from the moment of conception to the time of death. Also, 1 Corinthians 15: 22 says: “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
So if love is a supernatural quality, and the source of that quality is God, how does someone go about obtaining that quality? The answer is given in verse 9 which says, “God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” We obtain the love of God when we live in and through Jesus.
We come to abide in Christ we first come to faith in Christ. We become more like Christ as we actively participate in those things that pertain to Christ, such as when we study the word of God, attend services at a Bible believing church, participate in Holy Communion, get baptized, share our testimony and communicate with God through prayer and thanksgiving. Neglecting these things will cause your love for God and your neighbor to grow cold.
So love is a supernatural quality bestowed by God through faith in Christ. Love is nurtured by abiding in Christ, just as the branch grows by being attached to the vine (as in “I am the vine; you are the branches” in John 15: 5). Now, the original Greek word translated as “love” in verse 8 is agape, which means unconditional love, or love feast. These words invoke sharing, as in the Christ celebratory meals given after communion services by the early Church.
The picture given in today’s verses about God, Who is love, is one of shared joy, communion, sweet fellowship, and burdens shared. It speaks of a diverse community aware of and acting in its oneness of purpose. Examine your live. Does this picture resonate with you? Check your heart today, and make abiding in Christ a daily priority so that the love of God can resonate fully in your life.
May these words comfort you today. Until we meet again: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10)
Verneda
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