If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 1 John 4:20 NABRE
John writing the latest writings collected and shared in the bible, is the oldest Apostle to live, makes love the centerpiece of his letters. For John the entire message of Jesus can be summed up in the word love. John says, “We love because he loves us first.” (1 John 4:19) All of us, follower of Jesus or not, are based on the fact that God loved us first. Love is never self-originating, it does not arise from within ourselves. God’s love has been poured into us, through the Holy Spirit, it is grace. We know how to love because we have been loved. Next we read the verse quoted, if we say we love God and hate another we are a liar. John is clear, if you don’t love, then you hate, quite a powerful antithesis. Next John postulates if we cannot love someone we see then how can we love God who we cannot see. If we are unable to demonstrate love for those around us, then it is not possible to demonstrate love for the invisible. Additionally, as children of God, we can’t love God if we do not love his other children. It is a challenging message.
God knows we are the lost sheep, He left all He had behind to come find us. He dwelt among us, and taught us about love. He offers bread and wine, as we eat together, He loved watching us, taking what we need to nourish ourselves. He said I am your food, nourish yourself with Me, take Me into you so you become strong, powerful and happy, I always want to nourish you and make you a person who loves, looking to Me to receive love and give love; especially to my children, your brothers and sisters. First comes love, then all else is open to us.
Have you experienced God’s love? Do you have a block when trying to love others?
God knows we are the lost sheep, He left all He had behind to come find us. He dwelt among us, and taught us about love. He offers bread and wine, as we eat together, He loved watching us, taking what we need to nourish ourselves. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity#dailybibleverse @youversion #love#hate #nourish #John #everybodyalways#god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood#dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture#bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray #prayer#goodnews #loveeachother #godisgreat#bocaraton #youversion #everythingalways