The Power of Love!

Scripture: 

1 John 4:7–21

⁷ Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. ⁸ He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. ⁹ In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. ¹⁰ Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. ¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. ¹² No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. ¹³ Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴ And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. ¹⁵ Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. ¹⁶ And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. ¹⁷ Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. ¹⁸ There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. ¹⁹ We love him, because he first loved us. ²⁰ If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? ²¹ And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

Devotion:

The Apostle John’s letter appears to be quite purposeful regarding the strength of love in bringing transformation, which is described as central in it. With a strong and clear focus, he invites us into a deeper understanding of what it means to love one another, grounding this call in the very nature of God: “God is love.”

John starts by telling believers to show love among themselves as this act mirrors their relationship with God. When we love others, we act according to God’s characteristics and confirm that we are his children. Love is how we know whether or not we have come to know him; the impressibility always bears witness of its heavenly source. This should make us question how much we understand from our experience about love itself apart from His love towards us. Is our passion unconditional, or are our deeds accurate representations of His love?

John continues by reminding us about the greatest demonstration of love- “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son.” In this context, an important thing to remember is that love can never be just feelings; it requires action even at great personal cost. A similar love should be shown by its recipients to others. This is why John insists on loving one another if we really have received an understanding of His love.

The passage also touches on love and fear. John asserts that: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” Hence we should let go of anything that keeps us from loving completely. The root of fear is often a lack of trust, but if we accept God’s unconditional love, we will not mind being judged or punished since perfect love expels all cowardice from our hearts made whole in You. We can approach others with confidence because true love surpasses insecure feelings.

 John concludes by saying that if anyone loves God, one should also love his neighbor. Any person who professes to love God but hates or feels indifferent to their neighbor is a liar. This call is radical because sometimes it means dealing with animosities within oneself, displaying true love beyond mere sentiments backed up by serviceable acts of grace shown unto all.

Prayer:

Loving Father, thank You for Your incredible love shown through Jesus Christ. Enable me to realize and receive altogether this excellent affection of Yours. Let me love others as You have loved me without limits or reservations. Forgive me for the feelings of terror that prevent me from giving myself entirely and enable me to manifest You in thought, speech, and deed by Your love for us. Your heart must be fully grown by my passion so that others can see through me how much it means to be in love with Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.

Reflection:

Take some time reflecting on how God loves you. Where does he want you to extend his love more deliberately in some of your relationships with others? Write down your fears that hinder you from loving completely. How else can I express my emotions in actions of love? Emphasize various ways of reaching out to others this week by using words of encouragement, doing good things for them, or just being kind to everybody; such actions would be seen as manifestations of God’s love at work.