1 John 4:7-21
God’s LOVE and Ours
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 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.
19 We love because he first loved us. 20 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. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
Ephesians 2:1-10
By God's Gift of Grace We are Saved through Jesus Christ
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
When one reads John's epistle about God's LOVE, we can see the difference between our love and God's LOVE...Everything God does is out of LOVE, because by His very Nature, that is what He is, God is LOVE...We know that God's LOVE is patient, His LOVE is kind...God never envies in LOVE...His LOVE is not a feeling that would boast, and is a humble virtue of His...It does not dishonor others, LOVE is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered...LOVE does not delight in evil but rejoices with the Truth, the Way, and the Life...LOVE always protects, always trusts, always comforts, always hopes, always perseveres...
Love is a complex emotion that encompasses feelings of deep affection, care, and commitment...It can be expressed in various ways, like romantic love, parental love, or love for friends...The Bible portrays God's LOVE as boundless, everlasting, and sacrificial (John 3:16)...LOVE the driving force behind creation and redemption...So we know that God so LOVES our world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life...For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, which He could have because of regular sinning ways...But instead God sent us Jesus to save us and the world through His Son...
So we see the Great link and connection of grace to love...In Paul's context, Grace refers to God's undeserved favor and LOVE towards humanity and the world...God's Grace is a Gift we don't earn or deserve, but receive through God's mercy...Grace is often associated with other virtues that are similar to love, such as forgiveness and acceptance...Grace highlights that God LOVES us even though we fall short of perfection...And our Savior is in the middle of God's Grace.........
We can imagine love as a banquet...Everyone is invited, but some might not be able to afford the cost of admission...Grace is like a free pass that allows anyone to enter the banquet, regardless of their ability to pay...So love and grace work together...Love is the Greatest Virtue in life...God's LOVE is the foundation for His grace...LOVE motivates God to offer forgiveness and undeserved favor to sinners...
Grace is the expression of God's LOVE...Grace is a way God's LOVE is manifested in our lives...It's the action or gift that flows from His LOVE...God's LOVE is the overarching, constant force...Grace is a specific manifestation of His LOVE, focused on forgiveness and undeserved favor...
The Bible emphasizes that God's LOVE is a gift, not a reward...It's based on God's character, not on anything we earn or deserve...Passages like Ephesians 2 ("For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the Gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.") helps us better understand this concept...Because we were dead in our transgressions and sins, in which we live when we continually follow the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air...The Holy Spirit is now at work in all of us...We all have wants and desires, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following these desires and thoughts...Like the average person, we were by nature deserving of wrath...But because of God's Great LOVE for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions and sins—and it is by His Grace we have been saved....And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His Grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus...For it is by God's Grace we have been saved, through faith—and this is not from ourselves, it is the Gift of God— it is not by our works, so that no one can boast that we have saved our own self...For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do...
There was LOVE before Creation, because God is LOVE...God preceded His Creation of the universe...So some theologians believe God's LOVE is eternal and precedes creation itself...It's not a response to something He sees in us, but an overflow of His Perfect Nature...
God's LOVE is different than human love with limitations...Our love is often conditional...We love more easily when things are good and can struggle with unconditional love during challenges...This is due to our insecurities, need for reciprocation, and emotional vulnerabilities...
There is a Great Comfort in the Unconditional LOVE of God...Knowing God LOVES us Unconditionally, regardless of our flaws or failures and sins, provides immense comfort and a sense of inherent worth...It assures us that we are LOVED simply for who we are...While God's LOVE is Unconditional, it doesn't mean He condones our wrongdoings and sins...His LOVE can motivate us to grow and become better people, striving to live in accordance with His will and the Ways of His Son...This Unconditional LOVE offers a sense of security and acceptance...It means we are not alone, and God's LOVE for us is constant, even when we feel unlovable ourselves and are in despair...
While Perfect Unconditional LOVE is one thing, it is a challenge for humans...People like Jesus, Mother Teresa, or inspirational people in your life can serve as role models for extending love and compassion to others, even when difficult...Practicing unconditional love can begin with small acts of kindness, forgiveness, and understanding towards those around you...Shifting the focus from our own needs to the needs and well-being of others can cultivate a more selfless form of love...
Remember, God's Unconditional LOVE doesn't negate the importance of living a good and responsible life according to your faith...However, it provides a foundation of security and acceptance that can guide you through life's challenges...