“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:8
My friend, I want to share with you a story. Do you remember a friend from your childhood who was always there for you? One day, something unexpected happened. You made a mistake and thought your friend might leave you. But instead of getting angry, they still showed their love and understanding for you. Isn’t this an important lesson about true love?
This story reflects a profound truth found in 1 John 4:8. According to Bibleref.com, this scripture teaches us that “whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love”. Here, we see that love is not just an emotion, but an action and a way of knowing God.
True love is not just the affection we feel for our family or friends. It is a deep connection to God, stemming from His love for us. As stated in 1 John 4:11, “Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other”. This love is not just a feeling, but a continual action that reveals our true relationship with God.
Another aspect of love is the removal of fear, as stated in 1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment”. This love does not stem from fear of punishment, but from knowing and trusting in God. When we truly know and trust God, we do not live in fear.
My friends, in our daily lives, how can we demonstrate this true love? Every action we take, no matter how small, is an opportunity to show this love. It could be through being a good neighbor, being helpful to our colleagues at work, or simply showing kindness to those we don’t know.
Let us remember every day, “Love is not just felt, but shown and lived.”
Let us pray:
Lord, thank You for Your endless love. Guide us to show and live out this love for others. Amen.
Reflection Question:
How can I demonstrate God’s love in my everyday life?
Application Guide:
Try to do one good deed for someone every day for the next week. It could be a simple act of help, a smile, or any small act of kindness.
Weekly Challenge:
Try to talk to someone you don’t usually interact with, and show your care for them.
Your Questions, Answered
1. How do I know if I am truly loving?
True love is not just a feeling, but an action that reflects your relationship with God.
2. How can I show love to those who are difficult to love?
The love God teaches us is not based on our feelings, but on our choice to love others, even when it’s difficult.
3.What does ‘There is no fear in love’ mean?
True love, coming from God, removes fear, as it is based on trust and knowing Him.
4.Why is love important in Christian life?
Love is important because it shows our relationship with God and our obedience to His command to love one another.
5.What happens if I don’t love others?
If we do not love, we do not truly know God, as love is essential to His nature and His command to us.