| “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (1 John 4:8). |
| “God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:16). |
| Yesterday we were reminded that God is light, and it is significant that this is mentioned first in this first epistle of John. God’s holiness is important, and we need to be reminded of it. Since the Lord Jesus died and the gospel has been preached, men have sometimes emphasized the love of God, and forgotten that God is also light. The Spirit of God reminds us of this, for God cannot act against His holy nature. God never shows His love at the expense of His holiness. |
| But God is also love, and He wants to emphasize this to us. For this reason we find that the phrase “God is love,” is mentioned twice in the book of first John, and in addition, there are many other references to His love. The love of God is mentioned in the second chapter, and also the third chapter. It is mentioned not only as God’s love for us, but also as an example of our love for others. Then in the fourth chapter we are clearly told that “God is love;” it is His character — part of what He is. God is light, and we force Him to be our judge by our sins. God is also love; that is His nature, and nothing can change that. The love of God is mentioned in the fifth chapter too. |
| We can be so thankful for the love of God, for it was His love that first thought about us when we were sinners, and it was His love that sent His Son to die for us. It is His love that we can enjoy all through our lives, and that we will enjoy for all eternity. We must never forget that God is light, but He wants us to enjoy His love. |
