8 January 2022
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.
From 1 John 4:7-10, NRSV
John’s epistle was written to a community in which there was conflict about what to believe arising from some false teaching of the time. Perhaps this is why they are being brought back to the fundamental basic teaching about love. They are reminded that God is love and that this love was made real and present by God sending Jesus to live among the people and to die for them. This sacrifice was given for all people and for all time – it was not earned or deserved. The natural consequence of being so completely loved is to want to share this love with others. As John makes clear, it is not possible to claim to be of God without showing the love of God to others.
- What do you suppose John meant by saying that we might live through Jesus?
- When have you been aware of the extent of God’s love for you and how did this affect you?
Give thanks for those times when you have felt the strength of God’s love for you and pray for those who feel unloved.
Image – Chris J. Turnley
