“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love is 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. This is how God shows his love for us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we ought 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…There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4: 7-12,18)
From the command of Jesus in John 13, we are to go and give this love freely to ALL people; but how are we supposed to give something that so many of us struggle to define? The love that is talked about in the verses above is the Agape love that God has for us. Not just Christian, but for ALL his children. Whether this person has committed major offenses to us or they live halfway across the world and we have or will never meet them, those who have received God’s love are expected to spread it.
Let me put further voice to verse 10 which states that God loved us FIRST! That means that during all those years where we disobey, run away, or even actively reject Him He remains faithful! Through all the times we attempt to push him away, he still loves us. And he is freely willing to give out his love through the acceptance of Jesus as the Son and our Lord and Savior.
I have claimed to be a Christian my whole life. I walked around with the title because my family has it, and for 2 decades I believed I had the forgiveness of God and knew what is love felt like. It wasn’t until roughly 4 years ago (October 2015) did I fully experience the capacity of love that God has for us all. He showered me with a comfort, peace, and warmth that I cannot explain. Because of my stubbornness, I waited another year to actually commit my life to him and the spreading of his Kingdom.
Even in my rejection and stubbornness, God showered me with love and patiently waited for me to come to him. If you are searching for acceptance, if you have yet to feel the Love of the Father, I implore you to pray to Him. Ask for His love with earnestness and faith and He will provide it to you.
I love you all!! ????
