THE RESOLVE IN LOVE

1 John 4:7-21               

Wednesday, 20 November 2024

“And God showed his love for us by sending his only Son into the world, so that we might have life through him.” -1 John 4:9

Beloved, it’s a great privilege to be partakers in sharing the Love of God. How did He demonstrate His love? The key verse says it all:  “And God showed his love for us by sending his only Son into the world, so that we might have life through him.” God gave His best- His only Son to pay the price of sin of all humankind so that we would be saved!  As children of the Most High God, we are encouraged to demonstrate his unreserved love to our fellow beings too, for the glory of His name.

Though we choose to express the love of God, most often we are tempted to be limited because of the negative reactions or response towards us by the very ones to whom we try to express God’s love. Love in itself and the demonstration of it goes beyond human comprehension. As humans, we would always like to express love to those who agree with us in all that we do. Whenever we genuinely share the love of God together with brothers and sisters, we come face to face with our Creator who is pleased to see His children express and demonstrate His love.

Its not enough to just say “I love you brother/sister” –true love, always protects, encourages, as well as rebukes with the sole aim to help the brother/ sister and also discipline with compassion. As 1 Corinthians 13 teaches us: Love is patient, kind, not Jealous, not self-seeking, neither ill-mannered; above all it keeps no record of wrongs.

There are countless number of instances in Scriptures where God tests the measure of man’s love for Him. Abraham was asked to offer his only son Isaac; Ruth left her pagan faith and decided to be committed to the living God as she followed her mother-in-law to a strange land; Adam failed his test in the Garden of Eden; David failed his tests from God on several occasions, Solomon after doing so great to demonstrate how much he loved God, could not resist going to serve the idols of his pagan wives. Joseph, Hannah, Esther, Daniel and others went through tests of various levels to demonstrate to us, their love for God. Some withstood the tests, others failed; but God always demonstrates his constant love in order to help us to understand that he is God and his Love goes beyond measure!

It is not how much we have expressed love, but how fervent and patient we are to remain loving towards our fellow beings. Love and respect for God and our fellow beings brings us into an intimate friendship with God. Abraham and Moses were called friends of God. Exodus 33:11 says: “So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” David was called a man after God’s own heart. Job, Enoch and Noah all had intimate friendship with God despite their challenges. Because of their intimate relationship with God, they did not seclude themselves from their fellow beings but expressed His love in tangible ways.

God’s absolute love shows the extent and solid foundation upon which His love is established. 1 John 4:19 says “We love because God first loved us.” We did not choose to love Him first, He first loved us and encourages us to love one another. 1 John 4:21 reminds us:  Whoever loves God must love others also. 

Think on it: Love is worthless unless it acts out, unless it’s expressed in deed and behavior. ~Dr. David Jeremiah

Listen: 'Love one another'