“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” 1 John 4.16-21
The word love is mentioned fourteen times in just five verses. You think it’s important? In these handful of verses alone we find such a strong emphasis on love that its unavoidable.
From these verses we learn, 1) to rely on the love God has for us, 2) that God is love, 3) whoever lives in love lives in God, 4) love is made complete among us, 5) there is no fear in love, 6) we love because God first loved us, 7) if you claim to love God yet hate you are a liar, 8) if you don’t love others you can’t love God, and finally, 9) if you love God you must love others.
Much of this discourse to the early believers is about loving God and loving others. You can’t have one without the other. And love is so incredibly important! Love is powerful, it’s of God, it is God. These passages should give 1 Corinthians 13 which is often considered the love chapter, a run for it’s money!
And still, we have a hard time loving both God and others. Even with this strong encouragement from Scripture, we are poor lovers of God and of people. We tend to allow hate, selfishness or insecurity to replace love. We see this reflected so broadly in our world that it’s hard not to imitate the evil around us.
Yet, God is love and God is with us. He can help us learn how to love him and others. When our love fails, God’s love remains steadfast. It’s not up to me to master love, it’s up to me to seek the Lord. When I seek God, turn to his face, call upon his name, then his love will be a transformative power in me.
Why not commit to loving God today? Your life will never be the same again!
“O Lord God, it’s a full week! Busy by worldly standards and impactful by heavenly. I’m in the midst of spiritual kingdom building, making disciples, rebuking the devil, growing the kingdom. And my soul is weary! My body is weak, my defenses are down. But even with this, you are good. You sustain and send strength to your servants. You make the weak strong and give the weary rest. Come now, Beautiful Savior, have your way with me. Send the power of your Spirit to me that I might find hope and help in my time of need. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen