As we continue our study of 1 John, we pick up at verse 9 of Chapter 4. The Apostle, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, pens these words to us:
“This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.” 1 John 4:9
After telling us that “God IS love”, (1 John 4:8), John tells us HOW God SHOWED His love. It is easy to say, “I love you”, but saying it, and showing it are two different things As someone said, “Actions speak louder than words.”
Through reading and hearing the Written Word, we learn that God is Love, and that He dearly loves His children. He created us in His own image – His own likeness -(Genesis 1:26), and gave us life to be with Him when He breathed life into Adam. (Genesis 2:7). Just as any loving Parent wants their child to be with them, and be loved by them, so it is with our loving Heavenly Father. He created us to be a Family of God. Loving families want to be with each other.
We can create children in our image, but we cannot force our children to love us, or want to be with us. Though He ‘could’, God does not force us to love Him. He has given us freedom of choice, and a free will to make those choices. Instead of forcing us to love Him, He showed us how much He loves us . He sent His one and only Son to walk among us. To live a perfect life for us, and then to give that perfection to us as He died for us, (Hebrews 10:14) that we might fellowship with Him in His perfection.
To put into perspective the value of this gift to us, think of the most loved thing or person in your life, and think of giving it away to someone who would destroy it. I doubt we would do that. Yet our Abba Father showed His love for us by sending His one and only Son to us. (John 3:16) Jesus loves us enough to leave His heavenly Home, and His position of glory for us. As the Lord Jesus was about to go into His passion, He prayed: “And now Father, glorify me in Your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” (John 17:5) He came to show us His love. He came so that by faith in Him, through Him, we could all become sons and daughters of Most High. Through Him we can live the Abundant life of a child of God.(John 10:10) Living that life will show God’s Love.
Let us receive the Good News of His Love. Let us honor Him by letting it flow through us to those in our lives.
God’s richest blessings and love upon each of you, my Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus.
Poppa B.
Abundant Life Christian Fellowship, On Line