Today’s Scripture: 1 John 4:12, NKJV- “No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.”
Loving others is not easy. In the flesh and in the emotions of the day we must turn to God. Words are easy, love is not. We are given hope and grace in 1 John 4:16 that states “God is love.”
Sometimes we struggle liking others much less loving them. We are not likable or lovable at times either, are we? However, in us, God’s love is perfected. We can possess a love that we know deep down in our spirits could only come from Him.
Words matter, what we believe matters, and how we live matters. We are told in 1 John 4:2, that if we acknowledge and confess that Jesus came to earth in the flesh, we are of God. 1 John 4:3 also states that those who do not acknowledge Jesus are the antichrist.
The antichrist attempts to rob us of the truth that Jesus came to earth as our Savior. This morning, I had another one of those experiences that let me know God’s Spirit is deeper than mere words. In the first moments of prayer on this chilly morning. I asked Jesus what he did on mornings like this when He went out to pray.
Did You cover Your head and feet with Your cloak? Did You carry a blanket? Were Your toes cold in those sandals? I asked Jesus to grant me the fullness of His experiences with God the Father in prayer.
I rose from my knees and turned to 1 John 4 and began reading of the importance of confessing that Jesus came to earth from the Father. Because of my prayer experience, these words had meaning. I realized in that moment, that I knew I believed Jesus came to earth because I was experiencing it with Him.
Then I read 1 John 4:4, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” Our God is greater than the antichrist who is in this world. We are children of God. When Jesus taught us to pray, He began with “Our Father.” We too can live with the Father of Jesus. We too can have our love perfected by Him.
“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 (NIV). We are reminded in 1 John 4:10 that “This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” (NLT) We are challenged by 1 John 4:11, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
Will you live in God’s love today?
Today’s Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your love and for Your Son Jesus Christ. I acknowledge and confess that Jesus came from You to the earth. I am thankful You sent Jesus in the flesh to teach us Your love and leave us with Your Spirit. Live in us LORD and help us live in You so that You perfect Your love in us. As we confess that You are love, Father God, we love and welcome others to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and Your love for us. Amen.
Lesson from page 518 of Every Affirmation you will ever need available on Amazon. https://a.co/d/g9F64Di
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