Perfecting God’s Love – Part I
Today’s Scripture: 1 John 4:13-17
Key Verse: 1 John 4:17a
And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect.
Parents with little toddlers love them dearly, but we all must admit that many toddlers tend to be self-centered and have very little amounts of love for most others around them. We parents must step in and little by little make them more conscious of others and increase their ability to love the people around them. If this does not happen, others soon think that our toddlers are spoiled little brats.
If you have received Jesus into your life, you are a child of God… that is the good news.
However, the “bad news” is that God needs to make sure your love grows more perfect. By “bad news” I mean that God’s discipline does not feel good while it is happening.
The Bible reminds us of God’s purpose in His discipline. It is to make us more loving: “As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children… God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in His holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening – it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” (Hebrews 12:7 and Hebrews 10-11).
As a child of God, do not be discouraged or think it is strange that you are going through tough times. Our Father in Heaven is the perfect “Gardener”, and He knows exactly how to grow you into a reflection of Himself.
Our Key Verse summarizes our life as Christ-followers. As we live in God’s love and favor, our love grows more perfect. Take note, the Bible is not saying that our love will ever be perfect in this life, but it can get better as we walk faithfully with God.
I realize that it is not easy to accurately judge our own lives but think about the years that you have walked with God.
- Are you becoming more compassionate toward the people around you?
- Are you getting quicker at forgiving the failures of those around you?
- Are your words gentler and kinder, as you interact with people?
- What would your spouse and family say about your answers to these questions?
God never stops working on us unless we stop cooperating with His Spirit. This is why the Apostle Paul challenged believers to “stay in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16).
I want to become a better person to my wife, family, and friends. Do you? Join me in this journey to perfect our love by listening more carefully to God’s Spirit in us.
Father, I need your help to express love to the people around me, especially when it seems they do not return love to me. May my love grow more perfect as I walk in obedience to you. In Jesus’s Name I pray, amen.