Good morning,
The Book of 1 John is a very practical book. This week we will learn to try the spirits and many aspects of love.
God is love. What does that mean? John explains in verses 7-15.
God is the source of all love (4:7-8)
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
God models what genuine love is (4:9-10)
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. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
God commands us to love one another (4:11-12)
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
Assurance of the work of the Triune God in us (4:13-15)
13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
John tells us who is love, gives us the true example of love, tells us God commands us to love, and then tells how we can be assured that we dwell in Him and He in us.
Listening to the news, reading your newspaper, or meeting people on the street, you quickly see that we lack love. People are angry, hateful, and mean to each other. The antidote to this is LOVE!
We must follow God’s command to love one another.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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