1 John 4:17 CSB "In this, love is made complete with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because as he is, so also are we in this world."
How does God perfect love in us? John says, "In this," which points us to the preceding verses and propels us forward. Love is perfected or made complete when we have confidence that we are free of judgment (Romans 8:1; 1 John 4:17–18).
Love begins and ends with God's love for us and our love for God (1 John 4:16). We abide in God's love, and our love for God remains when we "confess that Jesus is the Son of God" (4:15). Believers in Jesus have a reciprocal love relationship that exists between God, His Son, and through the Spirit of Son (Jesus, the Christ) with the church. We love because God first loved us (4:19, 13).
True love (biblical love), when perfected, knows no fear because fear involves punishment (4:18, 12). Some people hate (refuse to love others) because they fear rejection. Living in God's love motives us to love others, as God loves us. In the future, we do not fear being judged for our hatred of others (4:20–21). Once, we did not love God. We proved our lack of love for him by disobeying his word. Jesus has atoned for our sin. We are not perfect, but "we stand in relation with God in the same way Christ does, and in this way, we are like [Jesus]" (Akin, NAC). We have a new relationship with our future judge.
Lord, my God, and Father thank you for showing me love that I may know love, remain in the love of Christ, and through the indwelling Spirit love you in return. Lord Jesus, help me today not to hate. Let me see those who hate me as those you need to know the love of God, confess You as His Son, and experience the love of the Father and Son through the Holy Spirit. Lord, help me experience Your love, so I can reveal godly love to others, even before they love me in return. Lord, I want to show someone who has not seen you your love, so they do not fear the future. I Jesus name, amen.
Daily Devotion
Who do you love?
Verse of the Day, February 18, 2021
1 John 4:17 CSB "In this, love is made complete with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because as he is, so also are we in this world."
How does God perfect love in us? John says, "In this," which points us to the preceding verses and propels us forward. Love is perfected or made complete when we have confidence that we are free of judgment (Romans 8:1; 1 John 4:17–18).
Love begins and ends with God's love for us and our love for God (1 John 4:16). We abide in God's love, and our love for God remains when we "confess that Jesus is the Son of God" (4:15). Believers in Jesus have a reciprocal love relationship that exists between God, His Son, and through the Spirit of Son (Jesus, the Christ) with the church. We love because God first loved us (4:19, 13).
True love (biblical love), when perfected, knows no fear because fear involves punishment (4:18, 12). Some people hate (refuse to love others) because they fear rejection. Living in God's love motives us to love others, as God loves us. In the future, we do not fear being judged for our hatred of others (4:20–21). Once, we did not love God. We proved our lack of love for him by disobeying his word. Jesus has atoned for our sin. We are not perfect, but "we stand in relation with God in the same way Christ does, and in this way, we are like [Jesus]" (Akin, NAC). We have a new relationship with our future judge.
Lord, my God, and Father thank you for showing me love that I may know love, remain in the love of Christ, and through the indwelling Spirit love you in return. Lord Jesus, help me today not to hate. Let me see those who hate me as those you need to know the love of God, confess You as His Son, and experience the love of the Father and Son through the Holy Spirit. Lord, help me experience Your love, so I can reveal godly love to others, even before they love me in return. Lord, I want to show someone who has not seen you your love, so they do not fear the future. I Jesus name, amen.