The Origin of Love

 

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. But every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.  You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.  They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.  We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us.  This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.  Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God  is love. This is how God showed his love: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love:  not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." I John 4:1-9

 

Today's verse makes no small point.  Had he not loved us, we would never have the ability to love him.  He loved us, so he came.  He loved us, so he  died for our sins.  He loved us, so he sends his spirit to convict us of our sins.  He loved us, so  he opens up his Word and reveals himself to us.  He loves, so... you name it!  Everything good in our life is a result of that love.  All of our hope for help?  Rests in the love that he has for us.  Thank God for his love!

 

I feel warm, fuzzy feelings toward God.  I feel affection, allegiance and devotion to him.  But none of that is born of me.  It all originates with him.  He grants me the ability to love him back!  We are so dependent on him for every facet of life, including our love walk with God.

 

Notice the verse says "... he loves us and sent..."  He went beyond warm feelings toward us. His emotion spurred his action.  And, oh, what an action it was!  He loved us so much that he gave it all.  I know that I have belabored this point over several days, but the truth is, that we forget. We take for granted his love and his sacrifice.  We need to go back and remember all that he suffered  for us and why.  Hopefully, remembering will inspire greater love and result in greater levels of commitment and devotion to him.

 

Lord,  help me to understand and perceive the love that you have demonstrated.  Help me to never forget your sacrifice.    In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

 

Sherri