Monday, April 15th, 2019

These days it is hard to find many examples of love between opposing parties. Most of what we see are examples of bitter argument, cruel accusations, and blatant disregard for the consequences of our words and actions. Some pessimistically rationalize their own bitterness as a result of a cruel world that forces them to act that way. But God is not a cruel God; in fact, the Bible tells us that God is love. In 1 John, it says, “ Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” Love is more than just something you show, it’s something to extend and give. God extended His love for us through his son Jesus Christ. We can extend love to each other in the name of Jesus Christ by acting and speaking in a way consistent with God’s love for us. Today, extend love to those around you and speak words of love and encouragement instead of bitterness.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” — 1 John 4:7-12 NIV