Our scripture this morning is 1 John 4:18-19 (NASB1995).
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us.
The Letters of John and his Gospel all focus on God’s love for us shown through Jesus coming to be one of us. In John 13:35 Jesus tells us “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Loving one another means not just treating them well, but sharing the joy we have found through our faith and connection to God. John gives this as the purpose for his works: “these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31). We are called by Christ Himself to carry on what He began with His earthly ministry, sharing His love in this way – “you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). This is the basis of being saved, to love God, love neighbor, and make disciples.
Gracious God, we are sorry for the times we have ignored Your call to love each other as You first loved us. Forgive us, strengthen us in faith and send us to be the bearers of the Gospel everywhere. Amen.
