Scripture:
1 John 4:7-8 – Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Observation:
John is again encouraging the believers who have received the love of God through Christ to share the love of God with others. Love is from God and when we love others we truly have been reborn and know God. Without having love for others, it is impossible to know God who is love. At the end of the chapter, John tells us you can’t claim to love God and not love your brother.
Application:
Jesus tells the disciples we will be known by our love for one another. Love God and love others are the great commandments on which the Law depends. To be born of God, I will love God as he loved me first and thusly my neighbor. The two commandments are linked and one can’t exist without the other. In other words, I can memorize scripture, give to the church, but if I don’t love my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ I don’t know God. The love of God is the most powerful thing in the world and the only thing with the power to change lives and hearts.
Prayer:
Father,
Thank you for your love and grace you gave me through Jesus. Let me be someone who receives your love and shares it with others so You can be seen.