As we continue our study of 1 John, we pick up at verse 7 of Chapter 4. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle John writes: “Dear Friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God Everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God.” 1 John 4: 7
What a beautiful, and powerful statement about the word ‘love’. Looking at it from root meanings, we have Eros, love of the flesh and passion, and Phileo, brotherly love, and Agape, unconditional love. But for the most part, we use the word to express how we feel about something – and that is certainly a part of it – but love is also about choosing.
When we turn to 1 Corinthians 13, and see the Holy Spirit speaking through Paul, we hear Him saying, “Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs . Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (13: 4-7) We must choose to do these things, and act in these ways. They are certainly not ‘normal’ ways – they are Godly ways. And this is the way we are asked to love one another.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) God chose to love us even though we as mankind did not deserve it He chooses to pour out His grace, and mercy, and abundant blessings upon us even though our actions say we do not deserve it. This is Agape love. It is unconditional love. It comes into us from God when we are born again by the Holy Spirit through Christ Jesus. We are born of God, and we know God. We know how to love as He loves when we choose to.
Let us love one another. Let us choose to love our spouse, our children, our significant other, our brothers, our sisters, our friends, all those in our lives, as we want God to love us.
May we be encouraged, and strengthened, and comforted by His Love. May we let it flow through us to those in our lives.
Blessings of every need met for each of you, God’s Beloveds.
Poppa B.
Abundant Life Christian Fellowship, On Line