Christian Daily Word (18)
[b]Daily Word for Christians...Here's the scripture to meditate on![/b]
[b]1 John 4:8 (NLT)[/b]
"But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love."
[b]Analysis of the Daily Word[/b]
This phrase sounds simple, but it has a very deep meaning: [b]"God, who is the source of life, is also the source of love. He loves us, and his love makes us feel safe, happy, and satisfied."[/b] For Christians, showing love is not something that can be chosen, it is a command. [b](Matthew 22:37-40)[/b] The more we know about God, the easier it can be for us to obey the first commandment because God is perfect and always treat us with love and shows us that he cares about us. Now, it may cost us a little more to obey the second. [b]Why?[/b] It is because the brothers and sisters - who are also our neighbors - are imperfect and sometimes can do or say things that are not kind or may hurt our feelings. With that in mind, God had some Bible writers talk about how and why we should show love to one another.
[b]How has God shown us that he loves us?[/b]
If a person loves another, it is not enough to say it with words. There is a saying that says: [b]"Works are love and not good reasons."[/b] Indeed, love must be demonstrated by actions. [b](James 2:17, and 26)[/b] For example, God loves us and expresses his love for us with beautiful words in the Bible. [b](1 John 4:19 | Psalm 25:10 | Romans 8:38, and 39)[/b] However, we know that he loves us not only because of what he says but also because of what he does. John wrote, [b]"This is how the love of God was revealed in our case: God sent his only begotten Son into the world so that we might gain life through him."[/b] [b](1 John 4:9)[/b] God allowed his beloved Son to suffer and die for us, so we are convinced that He loves us. [b](John 3:16)[/b]
[b]How did Jesus show that he loves us?[/b]
Jesus told his disciples that he loved them. [b](John 13:1 | 15:15)[/b] But he demonstrated the deep love that he had for them and that he has for us not only by what he said but also by what he did. He stated, [b]"Greater love has no one than he who lays down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)[/b] As we think about what God and Jesus have done for us, what should we do?
We show that we love both Jesus and our Heavenly Father God by obeying them. [b](John 14:15 | 1 John 5:3)[/b] Jesus also commanded us to love one another too! [b](John 13:34, and 35)[/b] This kind of love we must express to our brothers and sisters not only with words but also with actions. [b](1 John 3:18)[/b]
[b]1 John 4:8 (NLT)[/b]
"But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love."
[b]Analysis of the Daily Word[/b]
This phrase sounds simple, but it has a very deep meaning: [b]"God, who is the source of life, is also the source of love. He loves us, and his love makes us feel safe, happy, and satisfied."[/b] For Christians, showing love is not something that can be chosen, it is a command. [b](Matthew 22:37-40)[/b] The more we know about God, the easier it can be for us to obey the first commandment because God is perfect and always treat us with love and shows us that he cares about us. Now, it may cost us a little more to obey the second. [b]Why?[/b] It is because the brothers and sisters - who are also our neighbors - are imperfect and sometimes can do or say things that are not kind or may hurt our feelings. With that in mind, God had some Bible writers talk about how and why we should show love to one another.
[b]How has God shown us that he loves us?[/b]
If a person loves another, it is not enough to say it with words. There is a saying that says: [b]"Works are love and not good reasons."[/b] Indeed, love must be demonstrated by actions. [b](James 2:17, and 26)[/b] For example, God loves us and expresses his love for us with beautiful words in the Bible. [b](1 John 4:19 | Psalm 25:10 | Romans 8:38, and 39)[/b] However, we know that he loves us not only because of what he says but also because of what he does. John wrote, [b]"This is how the love of God was revealed in our case: God sent his only begotten Son into the world so that we might gain life through him."[/b] [b](1 John 4:9)[/b] God allowed his beloved Son to suffer and die for us, so we are convinced that He loves us. [b](John 3:16)[/b]
[b]How did Jesus show that he loves us?[/b]
Jesus told his disciples that he loved them. [b](John 13:1 | 15:15)[/b] But he demonstrated the deep love that he had for them and that he has for us not only by what he said but also by what he did. He stated, [b]"Greater love has no one than he who lays down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)[/b] As we think about what God and Jesus have done for us, what should we do?
We show that we love both Jesus and our Heavenly Father God by obeying them. [b](John 14:15 | 1 John 5:3)[/b] Jesus also commanded us to love one another too! [b](John 13:34, and 35)[/b] This kind of love we must express to our brothers and sisters not only with words but also with actions. [b](1 John 3:18)[/b]
22-25, M
