1 John 4:19-21 (NLT): “We love each other because he loved us first. If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters.”
Selwyn mentions in his opening remarks: “Today’s text is one of my favourite verses in the whole of the New Testament. John sees with crystal clearness that the love that flows in the heart of a Christian is initiated in heaven.”
I agree with his comment that ‘once we see how much God loves us’, that many aspects of our Christian life, come into clearer focus.
The conclusion to today’s study, is worth a lot of meditation, because it does change lives - the cross is where we see God’s love in action: “So (look) to the cross. The love of God finds its most burning expression there. Sit before it. Meditate on it. God only knows the love of God, and only God can reveal it. In gazing at the cross, and I mean gazing, not glancing, you will find that the scales will fall from your eyes and, seeing His love, your own love will flame in response.”
When I think of the Creator of this world – hanging from a cross – killed by His own creation; I’m so overwhelmed that my future rests in His hands! He is indeed, a God of love.
Loved into loving
1 John 4:19-21 (NLT): “We love each other because he loved us first. If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters.”
Selwyn mentions in his opening remarks: “Today’s text is one of my favourite verses in the whole of the New Testament. John sees with crystal clearness that the love that flows in the heart of a Christian is initiated in heaven.”
I agree with his comment that ‘once we see how much God loves us’, that many aspects of our Christian life, come into clearer focus.
The conclusion to today’s study, is worth a lot of meditation, because it does change lives - the cross is where we see God’s love in action: “So (look) to the cross. The love of God finds its most burning expression there. Sit before it. Meditate on it. God only knows the love of God, and only God can reveal it. In gazing at the cross, and I mean gazing, not glancing, you will find that the scales will fall from your eyes and, seeing His love, your own love will flame in response.”
When I think of the Creator of this world – hanging from a cross – killed by His own creation; I’m so overwhelmed that my future rests in His hands! He is indeed, a God of love.
What is your view?