Verse of the Day 2/24
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. English Standard Version (ESV)
These verses and this passage is perhaps most well known for the simple last statement, God is love. However, some have twisted this statement avoiding some of those components of what love is. While God is love, God is also just, God is holy, and God is sovereign. John MacArthur writes "Love is inherent in all He is and does. Even His wrath and judgment are perfectly harmonized with His love."
A loving parent would be expected to use good judgment in dealing with their children. It will involve correction and may involve punishment as a means of that correction.
Another important component in this discussion, is to realize, as the Amplified Bible states, that love "springs" from God. MacArthur outlines 5 reasons why Christians love:
- God is the essence of love
- to follow the supreme example of God's sacrificial love in sending his Son for us (John 3:16)
- love is the heart of Christian witness - demonstrated in His people
- love is the Christian's assurance see below
- love is the Christian's confidence in judgment - His perfect love casts out fear
Read or sing the following lines from Blessed Assurance, may they remind you of His great love, may we be filled with it.
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, all is at rest;
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with his goodness, lost in his love.
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with his goodness, lost in his love.
In Christ,
Mike
Mike
Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
1 John 4:6-8 Amplified Bible (AMP)
6 We are [children] of God. Whoever is learning to know God [progressively to perceive, recognize, and understand God by observation and experience, and to get an ever-clearer knowledge of Him] listens to us; and he who is not of God does not listen or pay attention to us. By this we know (recognize) the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of error.
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is begotten (born) of God and is coming [progressively] to know and understand God [to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him].
8 He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love.
6 We are [children] of God. Whoever is learning to know God [progressively to perceive, recognize, and understand God by observation and experience, and to get an ever-clearer knowledge of Him] listens to us; and he who is not of God does not listen or pay attention to us. By this we know (recognize) the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of error.
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is begotten (born) of God and is coming [progressively] to know and understand God [to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him].
8 He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love.
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