May 4, 2017 – 1 John 4:16

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. I John 4:16

Do you know what living in love is?  This verse says, God is Love!  We talk about loving, we sing about this love. But what does it mean to love like God?

It isn’t a quick song to praise Him – taking three minutes! Set the clock and begin thinking about how much you love God, and list the reasons you love Him.  What has God done to make you love Him?  Have you thought about the sunshine, the rain to make the garden grow, the way He heals, how He fills your heart with joy when you pray?  Have you thought about the gift of Jesus and His Saving Grace?

How long did that take?  God invites you to love Him as He loves you, for an eternity. He chose you, He made plans for you. He places us on earth where He wants us.  He gives us food to eat and people to care for us.

All He asks of us is to be faithful to Him, to love Him and His Son.  Why?  Some day we will see Him face to face.  When that day comes, will we hide in a dark corner, or will we run to Him with joy in our hearts?  It is our choice.  It is now we love Jesus with our whole hearts, minds, and souls to chase fear and darkness away.  This is perfect surrender-of-self love! This completed love is only ours through Jesus Christ.  Jesus loves us so much that when we begin loving and trusting Him, He makes our love perfect – our love for others and for Him who saves us from the darkness. God is truly Love.

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. 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. 1 John 4:17-18