The problem is the first part of I John 4:8, before the “G-d is love” part. “Whoever does not love does not know G-d”. Do we love? Do we know how? To better understand love from G-d’s perspective a broader biblical review is necessary.

When asked what is the greatest commandment Jesus replied “The most important one,… is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our G-d, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31. Again, do we know what is and even more how to love?

What is love? The answer is in I John 4:8 – G-d! “G-d is love.” Traditional Christians love this verse, well this latter half. Possibly because we define love in ways that suit us. And what suits us appeals to our emotional desires. The Bible re-enforces this aspect of love in the “Love Chapter”: I Corinthians 13:4-8 when Paul tells us what is and is not love. “Love is… patient, kind, always protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres, does not: envy, boast, dishonors, is not: proud, self-seeking, or is easily angered.” Love is a behavior. Love gets more challenging.

Jesus becomes more definitive when he states “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34. Then Jesus puts a fine point on how to love when he states, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13. Love is action!

In simplest of terms do we love? Do we care for others especially beyond our family and friends the same as we care for ourselves? Do we love and therefore worship G-d by loving Him and others as living sacrifices (death to self) and serving others (saving faith must produce works)? The answer is no. If no, then we are in violation of G-d’s and Jesus’ commands. That is sin. We must repent – DAILY! Repent and seek to love G-d and others not only as we love ourselves but as Christ loved us.

May the Holy Spirit fill us with the power to love as Jesus loves!

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