“Dear friends, let us love one another, for LOVE COMES FROM GOD. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. WHOEVER DOES NOT LOVE DOES NOT KNOW GOD, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8) [The type of love that is described here is agapē: which is a love of devotion, which the Father bestows upon this in us because we are not capable of acquiring agape love EXCEPT FROM GOD. This agape love is of God. He is the source, author, parent, and commander of love; it is the summation of his law and gospel: And everyone who loves is born of God! The Spirit of God is the Spirit of love!] “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world THAT WE MIGHT LIVE THROUGH HIM.“ (1 John 4:9) [The awesomeness love of God is demonstrated by His giving up His only son! In order for love to be understood it has to be proved!] “Dear friends, since God so loved us, WE ALSO OUGHT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.” (1 John 4:11) [This word “ought” comes from the word opheileō: which means it is our duty or obligation, we are bound to love one another!] “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, GOD LIVES IN US AND HIS LOVE IS MADE COMPLETE IN US.“ (1 John 4:12) [The Lord’s love is incomplete in us if we fail to love one another!] “Whoever claims to love God YET HATES A BROTHER OR SISTER IS A LIAR. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, CANNOT LOVE GOD, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this COMMAND: Anyone who loves God MUST also love their brother and sister.” (1 John 4:20-21) [We are given a command here that IF we claim to love God, it must be PROVEN in our love for one another!!!] “CARRY EACH OTHER’S BURDENS, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal. 6:2) [(Phi_2:3) “… but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”] “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, LET US DO GOOD TO ALL PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY TO THOSE WHO BELONG TO THE FAMILY OF BELIEVERS.” (Gal. 6:9-10)
Be blessed as you praise The Lord, knowing that ANYONE WHO LOVES GOD MUST [opheileō]ALSO LOVE THEIR BROTHER AND SISTER!
-Bill Stockham