Journey Through The Bible
  Old Testament Reading: Numbers 31-33
  New Testament Reading: 1 John 4

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God—God remains in him and he in God. And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. (1 John 4:15-16)

The Apostle John was known as the Apostle of Love and for the third time he the brings up the subject of Love. In this short letter, John says five times that we must love one another.  (1 John 3:11, 23; 4:7, 11, & 12). He also says we should love our brother four additional times (1 John 2:10; 3:10, 4:4, 20, & 21). Do you get the idea that John believes Love is important for Christians?

Not that he keeps repeating himself, but the Holy Spirit inspired John to present the subject from a deeper point of view. First, love is presented as proof of fellowship with God (1 John 2:7-11). Then love is presented as proof of Sonship (1John3:10-14). 

Now in chapter 4, we discover why love is such an important part of the Christian life. Love is a valid test of our fellowship and our Sonship because God is love. It is not just that God loves, but love is part of the very character and nature of God. There is nothing that God can do that is not an act of love. All that God expresses all that God is. Even His judgements are done in love and mercy. (Lam. 3:22-23)

If we are to unite with God through faith in Jesus Christ, then we share His nature. And since His nature is love, then love is the test of the validity of our spiritual life. The character of God is Love. Therefore, just as a compass naturally points north, so a Christian will naturally practice love because that is the nature of God who dwells within them. This love will be a natural response. It will not need to be forced.

John had seen love on display throughout the years of Jesus’ ministry, up to and beyond the Last Supper. John wrote Jesus loved them to the end (John 13:1). As believers, we should follow the example of Jesus and selflessly love others, allowing the love of God show through us.