The apostle John who is known as the writer of First John in the Bible is also known as “the apostle of love.” He uses the word “love” or “agape” many times in his writings, and love is his message over and over again. During the first portion of this book he has been sharing with us about loving God which is the first and great commandment. Now he turns his attention to us loving one another. Let's read what he wrote in First John chapter four and verse seven:
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loves is born of God, and knows God.
Although John has mentioned loving one another previously in this little book, he now reiterates the idea and gives us a reason why. Notice once again that he calls his readers “Beloved”. John loved people, and loving people is a natural offshoot of loving God. Paul the apostle wrote that the “fruit of the spirit is love”, and those who love God love people. Still John uses the word “let” which means “to allow”. We are to allow ourselves to love other people. We all know people who are easier to love than others, nevertheless, we are to love everyone. “Love is of God”, and notice once again, “and every one that loves is born of God”.
If we have a person or a group of people that we do not love, we must go before the Lord in prayer and ask Him to help us with this. To not love others is a direct contradiction to knowing God and being born of God. Some people measure their love life toward others on a scale such as, “Well, I love him some, but I really love her or I tolerate her in love, but I don't like him very much at all.” John says, “let us love one another”, and when we do, we know we are born of God and we know Him.
We must remember, God loves us, and we are not perfect. God loves us, and He is giving us instruction for improvement all the time. God loves us, even when we are unlovable. We must be like God, and love others as God does, in all their imperfections, in all their flaws, and in all their room to improve. When we have this attitude, we are born of the Most High God, and we truly know God Almighty.
Next time we will look at what happens when we do not love others, so read ahead and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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