Love Made Complete in Us
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
What does John mean by this statement, that if we love one another “his love is made complete in us?” 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. So the more love we have for others the more love we have for the Lord.
In the opening verse it states that “God lives in us,” which is the indwelling Holy Spirit. The reason our love for God increases as we show that love to others is because the Holy Spirit increases the love in our hearts, and we know that love comes from God. The more love that is in our hearts, the closer we are to the Lord and the more we seek to know him. Therefore, love is made complete in us, as God’s love passes through us to others and opens our hearts to receive more of God’s love through the Spirit.
“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 is 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, when our love will be perfect.
The more love we have in our hearts the more comfortable and secure we become, because love drives out fear. 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 4:18). Whenever Satan attacks with fear, run to scripture and read scriptures on God’s love, and reflect that love to others.
Today reflect God’s love to others with a caring heart, and realize the Lord’s love will increase in your heart. There are many people who need an encouraging word from someone who cares, and when we encourage others we tend to feel better about ourselves.
Let’s Pray: Lord, guide me in the Spirit to reflect your love to others so that your love can be made complete in me, motivating me to minister to others. Thank you for your perfect love that changes my heart to the heart of Jesus. In Jesus name, Amen