Rely on God's Love

1 John 4:16-21

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. ¹⁷ This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. ¹⁸ There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
¹⁹ We love because he first loved us. ²⁰ Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. ²¹ And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

"Love" is a word that is tossed around too easily these days. Here in 1 John, we are being told about God's love for us and some of the accompanying evidences when that love is present. We hear sermons or read books that assure us God loves us. Our supportive proof for that is the sacrificial gift of Jesus on the cross.  The familiar verse of John 3:16 sums up the unconditional love which God has, as he offers his son to pay the sin debt of the world. 

We can really know God's love in an intimate and personal fashion when, as John writes, "we know and rely on the love God has for us."  We have difficulty in finding a sure thing. The products we buy fail to measure up to their advertised claims. Friends and associates will let us down. People we thought we could count on, fail us.  But John writes about God whom we can rely on to keep on loving us. 

Then there are some measuring characteristics. "Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him."  When we find ourselves at rock bottom with nowhere to turn, let's rely on this promise by living in love. It is the proof that we live in God, and he lives in us.  That is the confidence we need in the approaching day of judgment. Then notice as John continues, "In this world we are like Jesus."

 

Another characteristic of living in love is that perfect love cannot coexist with fear. Love drives fear away, and the one who fears is not made perfect in love. 

Do you know and rely on God's love? Some would rather hang on to their fears, so they can feel they are suffering for the cause of Christ. To this attitude God's word assures us the answer lies in the love of God. When we have the proper understanding and reliance on God's love, all fear will disappear.

 God really goes the extra mile in loving us and making us his own. 

Another question.....How can we know that we show our love for God?  That's tomorrow's blog. Don't miss it!

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