More about God's Love from 1 John 4:20-21

SPIRITUAL DIARY

 

 

My Worship Time:                Focus:  More about God’s Love

 

Bible Reading & Meditation             Reference:  1John 4:20-21

 

            Message of the verse:  “20 If a man says, "I love God" and hates his brother, he is a liar. For if he does not love the brother before his eyes how can he love the one beyond his sight?  21 And in any case it is his explicit command that the one who loves God must love his brother too.”  (Phillips)  “20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.  21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.”  (NAS95)

            As a believer grows in his love for the Lord then he will also grow in his love for other believers that God has brought into his life.  John makes this point very clear in verse 20 where he states that if a person cannot love his fellow Christian whom he can see how does one love God whom he cannot see.  John goes on in verse 21 to say that keeping the commandments of God are not to be a burden on believers, for this should be the thing that they would want to do, because they know that this is pleasing to the Lord. 

            There is a popular song out by Scott Kirplank entitled “No More Pretending,” which is exactly what John is writing about here in these two verses.  Pretending is something man has done since the fall in the garden, as it is a part of the old nature, but it should not be part of a believer who is maturing in the love of God.  John has already stated that believers all sin, but he also stated that believers are to confess to the Lord when they fail Him, and He will forgive their sin.  By confessing sin to the Lord believers are being honest with Him that we have sinned, and there is no hypocrisy in them as with the people written about in Acts Chapter 5.  Not only did Ananias and Sapphira sin by lying to the Holy Spirit, but they were also being hypocritical too.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  This passage and the commentary that Dr. Wiersbe has written on it has really stepped on my toes, and has brought conviction to my heart.  As a person I have generally had a low self-esteem, and consequently have tried to put myself in the spotlight far too many times.  I do believe that as my love for the Lord begins to grow that I will not have such a low self-esteem, because I know the Lord knows that I am just dust and can make mistakes and sin, but because of His love, mercy and grace He will pick me up and put me on the right path again. God wants me to succeed in the Christian life and has proven that by sending His Son to die in my place and take the judgment on the cross that should have been given to me.

 

The Word of God has brought much conviction to my heart as I read and studied it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  Continue to strive to grow in the love of the Lord, and to obey His commandments.