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
In the opening of the fourth chapter of John’s first epistle, he explains how to discern if a spirit is from God. He describes how to judge the sincerity of any professed believer. He writes in 1 John 4:2, “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God. WEB”
Jesus encourages his disciples to understand the difference between worldly and godly men and women. He teaches in John 15:20. “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his lord.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. WEB” As love comes from God, it is a strong indication of the godliness of the individual.
God First Loved Us
A major indicator of sincerity of faith in Christ is the presence of love. It is a commandment of the Lord that we love one another. Jesus said in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. WEB” As John teaches in his first letter, “love comes from God.”
We love God because he first loved us. Continuing in 1 John 4:19 we read, “We love him, because he first loved us. If a man says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn’t love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? WEB” Again, John emphasizes that love comes from God.
Responding to the Love of God
Christ teaches spiritual rebirth in John 3:3 saying, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see God’s Kingdom. WEB” Accordingly, John teaches that love is an indication of our spiritual rebirth in Christ. He writes that everyone who loves is “born of God and knows God.” Born of God through faith in Jesus Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit of God.
Our love for one another is a response to our spiritual rebirth and the love we receive from God. Love demonstrates our transformation in Christ and obedience to the word and will of God. The love we express for one another demonstrates the presence of God’s Holy Spirit. As Paul writes in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. WEB”
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the love you give to me. Thank you for the love of my brothers and sister of faith. Guide me to give as I receive. Help me to love as you do. In Jesus name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Beware of False Prophets
