1 John 4:14-16

1 John 4:14-16

And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent the Son as savior of the world.  Whoever should confess that Jesus is the Son of God: God remains in him and he remains in God.  And we have known and we have believed the love that God has in us.  God is love.  The one who remains in love remains in God and God remains in him.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

In this passage we have what some have called the basic fundamental truth of the world: God is love.  These three words explain so much about our origin as a human species.

• Why did God create us?  He wanted to display love and be in relationship with us.
• Why does God give us free will?  Without free will we cannot love God back.  After all, a people who have no choice but to love give no love at all.  In order to truly love, we must have the option of something besides love.
• Why does God redeem us through Jesus Christ?  He loves us and would rather have relationship with us than stand in judgment over us in His righteous wrath.
• Why does God provide us with all that we have?  He is love and He desires us to know the richness of His grace.
• Why does God offer eternal life to temporal beings?  He loves us and desires to allow us to live with Him forever.

Of course, the answers to each of these questions go far deeper than this.  But this is the basic premise.  All of the basic questions can be answered through God’s sacrificial love.

What does “God is love” mean to you?  How can you emulate this kind of love?

Second Thought:

The Greek word “μένω” appears 6 times in verses 12-16, three times in the second half of 1 John 4:16 alone!  I have translated this word as “remain.”  In the Greek it literally means “to remain in the same place for an extended time.”  Many translations use the word “abide.”  All of these ideas revolve around the same concept.  When we love, God remains in us.  God desires to stay within us for an extended period of time!  Think about what that means for just a second.  The all-powerful creator of the universe desires to stay with you for an extended period of time.  Many religions try and get human beings to worship a deity.  But only one that I know of actually wants to come and have an intimate, personal relationship with you.

Does it ever amaze you that God wants a relationship with you?

Third Thought:

Jesus is the savior.  On one level this seems like such a simplistic assertion.  Of course Jesus is the savior of the world, right?  Who would ever argue with that?  But then again, how many times do I enjoy playing the role of savior?  How many times do I appreciate the accolades that come with solving a problem or saying just the right words.  We must remember this simple confession.  Jesus is the savior.  Only He could do what He did.  Only He can solve our problems.  Only He can restore our relationship with God.  Only He can bring wisdom and life to us.  Jesus is the Son of God and the savior of the world.  At best I may help Him demonstrate God’s love as He sees fit.  That’s still important, but not as important as Him being the Savior in the first place.

do you ever enjoy being a “savior?”  Why do those moments feel good?  Why is it important to remember that Jesus is the only real savior?  How can you use moments where God uses you and turn them into moments that allows Christ to be a savior?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 John 4:17-18