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And now we love

1.John 4,16-19 Passion Translation

We have come into an intimate experience with God’s love, and we trust in the love he has for us. God is love! Those who are living in love are living in God, and God lives through them. By living in God, love has been brought to its full expression in us so that we may fearlessly face the day of judgment, because all that Jesus now is, so are we in this world. Love never brings fear, for fear is always related to punishment. But love’s perfection drives the fear of punishment far from our hearts. Whoever walks constantly afraid of punishment has not reached love’s perfection. Our love for others is our grateful response to the love God first demonstrated to us.

God is love, love is not something He has learned or a characteristic He sometimes shows. Love is what He is! 

The reason why we can love is because He loved us first.

But for God it is not enough that we just love Him. He also wants us to love one another and show our love in a practical way.

On paper that does not sound so difficult. But in reality it is, because often it costs a lot of strength and energy to love others. Sometimes it does not even make sense. Does God really want me to love my neighbour who is constantly turning up her music way too loud in the evening? Or my brother whom I have not spoken to for years? He could not have talked about my boss. And what about the homeless on my way to work?

God loved us first and our love to one another is a reaction to this. It is not a feeling we sometimes feel more or less. In John 3,16 it is written God has showed His love to the world through giving His one and only son for us.

Jesus did not take on the cross because he felt like it and wanted to, but because He chose to do it. What an amazing proof of His love!

Love is always a conscious decision!

And the good thing is, it is a muscle that can be trained. The more you decide to love your neighbour the easier it will be from time to time.

Action Step

Think about the people in your environment: Your family, friends, colleagues or classmates. Whom has God placed into your life? Who do you see every day? Is there a person you are in the same bus with on your way to work or a person you always meet at the bakery? Maybe even someone comes into your mind, who used to be a part of your life but you have not seen for a long time.

Thank God for Him loving you first and think about whom you want to share His love practically with. Through encouragement, a small gift or even a phone call.