Know!

Know!

1 John 4:16 AMPC

[16] And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us. God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him.

The first letter of John is a study on the person and work of Jesus as Love. The usual picture of love presented to us is that is an idea, concept or theme, which can only be expressed in physical and tangible ways. We ask the popular question: "Do you love me" of people close to us, because we want to see or feel tangible things we can relate to as the proof of love. However, as the verses above make quite clear, love is first and foremost about a person, not an idea. It is the full expression of the person of Jesus, who is the full and final expression of love, from God's perspective. Just look at these 2 verses just before our devotion today: one says: "In this the love of God was made manifest where we are concerned: in that God sent His Son into the world so that we might live through Him".  Another says:"In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." How can one understand love without first understanding the dimensions of the gifts described above? 

It is not a surprise that the verses above start with the words: "And we know". It takes one with personal knowledge and experience of the love described here to be able to speak to, write to or teach others about it. How can you speak eloquently about something or a person that you know absolutely nothing about? That would be deceit, hypocrisy and outright lying. That is the power behind the introduction to this letter, where the writer says "that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life". It is hard to talk confidently about something you do not have personal experience of, and that is why only an eye-witness account is accepted in a court of law. You cannot speak about love unless and until you have tasted it, and once you have tasted the real deal, no counterfeit can take its place. 

The real deal begins with a personal encounter with this love. The writer of this letter had it, and could speak boldly about it, and also recommend Him to the recipients and we the readers today. The reason why it is also special is because it is not a love that expires, as it is the person of Christ Himself, who has no end. The sacrifice was paid many centuries ago, yet the benefits continue to be made available to even unborn generations, as long as this earthly phase remains. If I will enjoy this Love, I have to remain IN Him. It is ultimately a matter of choice, but it is very dangerous to maintain an open door policy, where you get to go out and come in as and when you please. That is dangerous. The free gift of salvation has been given to all men, but God does not force Himself on anyone. The one who knows the value of the gift will take it, and make it a personal experience. Note: what you do with the gift impacts eternity. God is love, but be sure that when it is time for judgement, my response to his gift of love becomes the only consideration. Nothing else will matter. Have you accepted this gift? God's time of favour is here.