Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. - 1 John 4:7 NIV
The one thing that separates disciples of Christ from the world is love. All the other things, forgiveness, care for each other, obedience to God, anything you can think of that is pure and holy, are all expressions of love -- God love. For us then, to claim the title of Christian, we must demonstrate God's love to all people in all situations. This is so essential that the author goes on in the next verse to say, 'Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."'
However, we don't come by this encompassing love naturally. Our earthly selves love conditionally and imperfectly; we pick and choose. True "arms opened wide" for all l kind of love can only come from God. He blesses us in both by loving us and giving us "God Love" to share. In sharing this love, we experience God and understand Him as well as we can in this lifetime.
God of love, thank you for loving us and giving us the ability to love all unconditionally. We confess this is not easy and ask for your help. We offer ourselves wholly and humbly, remove any barriers within us and fill us with your love. May others recognize that difference within us as a testimony to your compassion and kindness. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
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