1 JOHN 4:7-8

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

TO PONDER

I needed some time to consider these verses and their context; I always like finding a new fact or two. In this case, it is that John mentions love in various forms 43 times in this letter.

God has always loved us. Even from 'the fall,’ he has had plans to reconcile us to Himself and when the time was right, He sent His only beloved Son, Jesus, to live among us and teach us, then to suffer and die on the cross. Our sins were forgiven, and we are right with God – that is love! In Scripture, God reveals much of His nature to us; His goodness, faithfulness, love and mercy, all this and more, so that when we come to Him, we may truly know Him and grow to be more like Him.

We are aware of the bitterness, greed, and many other negative attitudes in the world today because people refuse to love. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God because God is love – so you cannot know him if you do not love. One thing I learned from the new Christians in the group I mentioned in yesterday’s devotion is, that for our love and knowledge of God to grow, it needs feeding. Saying I have faith and trust in God is not enough; we need to feast on God’s word, meet with other believers to strengthen and encourage each other so that we know more intimately the goodness of God and show his love to others, and our lives are a testimony  that God is love and love comes from Him.

Prayer: God of love, thank you for the many people you have placed in my life who have taught me, through your word and by their nature, that you are love, that love comes from you, and that this knowledge helps me love others. May I always use this knowledge to lead others to know your love. Amen

Today's devotion written by Maureen Macpherson, LifeWay Newcastle