Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. (1 John 4:7-21 ESV)
REFLECTION
God is love (v. 8). Let’s pause and ponder this transforming truth.
We were loved by Him before we did one thing. We are loved by Him because He made us. We are loved as we are and as we grow in His grace. We are completely loved and understood, and we are not alone, so let’s let go of lies and lean into the truth of God’s glorious love. Let’s prayerfully ponder His Word and ways and, by faith, lovingly live out His truth, trusting His Holy Spirit to do what only He can do in and through us – in His higher way and perfect timing – as we do what we truly believe He is guiding us to do.
As we seek to know and love the One who is love, we become more loving, for we become what we wholeheartedly love and consistently behold.
PRAYER POEM: Love
Loving Lord, grant me grace to lean in and linger in the light of Your love, and live a life of love ~ trusting You to teach me Your ways as I seek to know and love You for the rest of my days.
