God loving others through His followers
But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. 1 John 4:8-12
God’s love is forever! Yet, man’s love is erratic and inconsistent. The reason why God’s love is forever and does not change is because it is inherent in Him for that is who He is. This is how apostle John described God from the text. In order for people to become loving as they should be, they must acquire this virtue from the source Himself. Once a person is in Christ, the love of God is in that person. “Anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (v. 8). Apart from God, it will be difficult for you to love. God manifested how authentic and how great His love by sending His Son to die for man’s sin. “He loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins” (v. 10). John also stated the result of His love in a very encouraging way, “that we might have eternal life through him” (v. 9). In the same chapter, John continued to emphasize the importance of knowing and abiding in Christ. When followers of Christ become grateful to the love of God they become aware of His plan that they should be a reflection of His love. “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them (v. 16). Christians are challenged to live their lives loving others more. This is what the apostle Paul wrote about in what is known as the “Love Chapter” in 1 Corinthians 13. In the list that he provided (verses 4-8), he described the love that comes from God that should also characterize the love that His follower should manifest. In this life and in the life to come, you experience the full measure of God’s love. You let others see this love because you allow the life of Christ rules your life. “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:34-35).
Blessings.
