1 John 4:8 “The man without love has known nothing of God, for God is love.” (NAB)
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (NIV)
“The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love….so you can’t know him if you don’t love.” (MSG)
Heavenly Father,
There is a song that says: “They will know we are Christians by our love.” Today’s verse could be a basis for that song. John 13:35 says: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” We can’t be Christians if we don’t love each other. We can’t know you, our Father if we don’t love each other.
The “Good News” we seek to spread to the world is about love….your love for us in giving your Son to die for us, Jesus’ love for us in becoming that Lamb slain to bring salvation to the world, the Holy Spirit’s love as he abides in us making us disciples of your holy love. It isn’t a message at all and it certainly isn’t “Good News” if we rob it of love! You, our holy God, our Creator, our Father are love.
Jesus Christ was love in human form willing to sacrifice for all. If we know that love, feel that love, understand grace and mercy and forgiveness, then we too will love others. If we have no love for others, we don’t know you. The scriptures are full of words of love. Everything Jesus Christ did or said was about love. Even when he chastises people, it is because he loves you, his Father, with all his being and want us to know that perfect love as well.
The Message uses the phrase, “refuses to love”. That is the problem in a nutshell. We refuse to love---it’s a choice. It’s a choice that goes against every command that you have ever given us. It is choosing to defy our God, our Loving Father, and not feel or show love to others. We are born with love in us.
Our love can be killed by other people, but if we know you, we will resurrect love from human ashes in heavenly form. Human love is uncertain, but godly love is forever! No one can separate us from your love and that is the Good News in Jesus Christ that we preach! Let me show more of your love to all I meet! Thank you for loving me. Amen.
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