Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1 John 4:7 KJV
Today's extract is addressed to people referred to as 'beloved'. These would be people who have experienced the love of God and know Him on a personal level. They would have seen God at work, not out of their own personal goodness, but the unfailing love of God that would not let go. It is no wonder then why today's extract goes in the direction it does: if indeed I have benefitted from the love of God, His minimum requirement for me is to extend the same love to other people.
I do not know how you see the instruction to love: as a reminder, an admonition, counsel or command. However you see it, remember: God does not force anyone to do anything. He has given us the freewill to choose Him, and as it has always been said, there are consequences to every action or decision I take. And as you notice, it says love one another. It does not ask me to love only those who are lovable or show themselves capable of loving, or who are able to reciprocate the feeling. My obedience to God is not tied to the reception or approval of man.
Love is of God. God is defined as love. It then means that you cannot really define love outside of God Himself. If I have not yet taken God as my Lord and Saviour, whatever it is I have or show is not the real deal. This is where it gets difficult: Cornelius had a good reputation; he gave alms and helped the poor, yet something was missing: a personal experience of God. Without it, there is a limit to how much of God can flow in and out of me to touch other lives.
Whatever I do outside of God is not love. As long as my own interests are the focus of attention, it is not love. If men cannot, in some instances, reflect and wish for what I have, then I need to check again if what I hold on to is the genuine thing or not. God is love, and all who claim to know Him must be seen in the same light. Is that what I am? Is God seen in me? Does his nature flow through me? His time of favour is here.
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