Abiding in God's Love

God Loves Us
God's Eternal, Preserving, Renewing Love

God's Love Manifested

1 John 4:16-19. The Message

13-16 This is how we know we’re living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He’s given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also, we’ve seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God’s Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we’ve embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God.

To Love, to Be Loved

17-18 God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.
19 We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.

For Reflection

How wonderful it feels, to be engrossed in the love of God, to be encapsulated in God's devotion.  We are transformed when God abides in us, and we abide in God.  Embraced in the household of God, we are free from worry, relieved from the threat and burden of fear.

What could we possibly give in return for this blessing?  We give the only thing that is ours to give.  We give ourselves to God and our love to all with whom we touch.

Pray

Pray prayers of praise and thanksgiving to God who gave his son so that we might know God more fully.  Pray that your will offer your life to God as a holy sacrifice in service to God and the reconciliation of all humankind.