As we continue our study of 1 John, we pick up at verse 10 of Chapter 4. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle John writes:
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10
As a general rule, when someone is kind, and merciful, and shows love to us, we usually show these things in return. And .if someone is hostile, or hateful in attitude, and clearly shows they could care less about how we feel toward them, we usually give them the same back. That is human nature, but that is not God’s nature.
God’s nature is Love. To love something in the purest sense is to have strong unconditional affection for it. To have deep feelings for it – not because of what it has done for us, or has first loved us, but simply because we want it in our life.
This is without question how Father God loves us – He wants us in His life. He created us for that specific purpose. His desire is that we will want to be in His.
The problem is this thing called sin. Pride, covetousness, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, slothfulness, (called the seven deadly sins) are not where He resides. He lives in love, and grace, and mercy, and goodness, and kindness, and peace, and joy. His house, His kingdom, is without sin. Therefore to have us with Him means that we must be without sin as well. Because of His great love for us, He sent His Son to take away our sin. Father allowed the sacrificial blood shed by Christ Jesus at the Cross to wash away our sins in His sight. The Word says, ‘ For by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” Hebrews 10; 14, 17
Though we certainly did not deserve it, and probably most times do not act like it, The Holy Spirit made us perfect as we believed in God’s Son, and accepted Him as Savior. Our sins have been atoned for. Jesus, beautiful Lamb of God, has made amends for them with His blood. This is love.
May we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory – both now and forever. Amen.
Reside in His Love, God’s Beloveds.
Poppa B.