TEXT: 1John 4: 12 - 21
- No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.
- By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
- And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 15. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
- 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. 17. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.
- There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
- We love Him because He first loved us.
- If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
- And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
Apostle John had a firsthand experience of Jesus’ love. He was described as the disciple whom Jesus loved and the one who leaned on His breast (John 21: 20). The apostle wrote extensively on LOVE. “GOD IS LOVE’ he writes in verse 8b of our text. LOVE is the identity of believers. Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you will have love for one another” (John 13: 35). Brotherly love is also a commandment: “A new commandment I give to you that you love one another” (John 13: 33). LOVE is the prism through which you see God’s heart and are bonded in union with Him.
How is this love perfected in you?
Know that it is love that made the Father to send His son as your Saviour (John 3:16).
Confess with your mouth (and believe in your heart) the Lord Jesus as your own Saviour (Romans 10: 9).
Allow His spirit to dwell in you, direct and guide you in all things (Romans 8: 9, 14).
Continue to abide in Jesus and allow His Word to enrich your spirit man (John 15:5, 8); so that you may begin to bear fruit.
The fruit that comes out of this union is LOVE (Galatians 5:22). Without Jesus, you cannot live the perfect love life (John 15:6).
Prayer: Pray that the spirit of Christ in you will cause Jesus’ love to shine forth from you daily.