Beloved, let us [unselfishly] love and seek the best for one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves [others] is born of God and knows God [through personal experience]. 8 The one who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. [He is the originator of love, and it is an enduring attribute of His nature.] 9 By this the love of God was displayed in us, in that God has sent His [One and] only begotten Son [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind] into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [that is, the atoning sacrifice, and the satisfying offering] for our sins [fulfilling God’s requirement for justice against sin and placating His wrath].
These are powerful words especially in light of recent events in our nation. Have you ever asked yourself did John always feel this way, was he perfect in some way I'll never achieve? The answer is an emphatic no,John like all of us had to be changed by Christ to feel this way. Need Proof??
John was intolerant of people who were not part of the disciples that walked with Jesus. Mark 8:38
"John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him because he was not accompanying us [as Your disciple].”
Sounds like some of us today, "If you are not part of our ____________ then you aren't really Christians, or you aren't going to Heaven" Remember dear friend the call is still "Whosoever will"
John was also vindictive. Look at Luke 9:54
"When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and destroy them?”
Harsh much John, don't talk to them, don't reason, just call down fire from on high, that will teach them. Sadly I believe that there are some in our world today that secretly wish they could do this.
So what happened to change John into a disciple that will refer to Christian love 25 or more times in his Epistles?? The answer should be obvious, after seeing Jesus put His love on display in public ministry, and in the greatest act of self-sacrifice on the cross, John came to see that Love is what matters and its who God is. This is what we all should strive for!!! Allowing Christ to work in us through the Holy Spirit that we put aside all hate and bitterness and focus on expressing God through Love. AS John said "The one who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him]." Not church attendance, tithing, or even ministry its loving both the Saint and the sinner, for what drew people to Christ wasn't just His power, but the love He showed to all even the ones who looked down upon by the Jews.
Prayer for today:
Heavenly Father, let me be a person who expresses your love today to everyone I meet. Don't let them see me, but see the Love you have for them. As you have loved me, allow me to love them. I pray this in Jesus name .AMEN
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