Love, Foundation of the Christian Life
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
1 John 4:12
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. (1 Corinthians 1:1-3) We can see from this verse we can serve the Lord, but we see the results without a heart of love.
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7) Having a heart of love enables us to know God because God is love. Christians, love everyone on the planet, even our enemies, because the world has been deceived by Satan.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesian 6:10) Our struggle is not against people, it against Satan and his evil ways. There is no room in or hearts for hate of people, since all people are created in the image of God. We hate evil that Satan brings into the world, that causes wars, evil people, because Satan makes people self-centered.
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 (1 John 4:20). From this scripture we see that our love for God is revealed through the love we show to others, and the more love we have for others the more love we have for the Lord. Christians love everyone on the planet, and our enemy is Satan who deceives people to be self-centered and evil. 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 (1 John 4:20)
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’ (Matthew 25:37-40). Love for others shows our love for the Lord, and the more love we give, the more love we receive. This closes the circle of love, which means God’s love in our hearts can increase until our last breath.
Today reflect God’s love to others with a caring heart, and realize the Lord’s love will increase in your heart.
Prayer: Lord, guide me in the Spirit to reflect your love to others so that your love can be made complete in me. Thank you for your perfect love that changes my heart to the heart of Jesus. In Jesus name, Amen.