We love him, because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 KJV
There are quite a number of elements to God's nature that are revealed in today's extract, and today's extract can only highlight and underscore these elements; the response is yours to work out. First, there is a need to know this God. Who is He? Quite a lot of answers apply here, but for the sake of today's extract, one is important, and it is that He is a God of love. No one can give that which He does not have, and no one can legitimately make a withdrawal out of an account s/he has not made an earlier deposit, unless there are strict conditions for credit/overdraft.
Secondly, that love is the foundation of all that followed in Eden. It was this love that birthed the first man, who God created in His own image and after his likeness. The breath of God was put in this man, and He was given dominion over all that God had made. But you see, this is a God who knew that this man would reject him and go into sin, yet He pulled out all the stops and did His best. But He also knew that by his perfect all, man would be reconciled back to Him, so again, He gave out of who He is and has, and provided a way out of sin for all mankind. Even in sin, His love was evident.
Thirdly, what I have now become is a function of what I have received. Recall that we had said earlier that everyone gives of what He has. Since I received love, it has only become natural that I give out love. If truly I have responded to the offer of love from God, my life must produce fruit that lines up with that response. How can an orange tree produce bananas? My fruit must bear semblance to its roots. Love is what I got even when I didn't deserve it, and it has become imperative that my life reflects this so that others too may come to that same love.
The perfect example has been laid down, and the template established. The path to true love has been laid out for me, and all I can do is follow. I am not the example; Jesus is. His life makes it possible for me to live to please God. His love makes it possible for me to love other people. I note it says nothing about whether the people I love deserve it or not. That is not why I love. I am not looking for reciprocal love, I am only giving off what I have received. I am not doing it to show off; I am only sincerely grateful for all I have received. His love is the door to all I can be, and it will be my lifelong duty to show off this amazing love. That is mine; what's yours? His time of favour is here.
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