As we enter the fourth week of our series “Complete Joy,” we turn our attention to 1 John 4:7-21, where the Apostle John expands on his teachings about love. Last week, we read from the previous chapter where love is emphasized as a sacrificial action rooted in faith. Now John delves into the very essence of love itself, revealing its divine origin. He proclaims that love is not merely something we do—love is who God is.
John’s message in this passage moves beyond the call to love others as Christ loved us. He challenges us to understand that our ability to love is a direct reflection of God’s love within us. It is not just a command to act, but an invitation to embody the nature of God, who is love. This love is perfect, casting out fear and uniting us with God and one another.
Franciscan priest, Richard Rohr, says, “The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.” In a world often filled with fear, anger, and division, practicing the radical love that John describes becomes our most powerful witness. We are called to live out this divine love in a way that transcends human limitations, drawing strength from the knowledge that God’s love is the foundation of all true relationships.
Today and in the days ahead, let’s focus not only on loving through our actions but on cultivating a heart that truly reflects God’s love. May we allow this perfect love to drive out fear, deepen our connections, and reveal the presence of God in our lives and community.
May God’s peace find you today. -Pastor Peter
Let’s pray… Gracious God, fill our hearts with your kind of love. Help us embody you, responding to the bad by practicing the better. Amen.