LOVING OTHERS IS THE FRUIT—NOT THE ROOT—OF GOD’S LOVE FOR YOU

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”—1 John 4:19

 

The body of Christ must return to their revelation of how Christ first loved them.  This is one of the issues that Christ addressed in Revelation 2:4, “Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”

 

Often, the preaching and teaching is centered on how we should love others.  Although this is certainly appropriate, the greatest and most distinguishing characteristic of a true Christian is their love for the brethren, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).  A true revelation of how much God loves us gives us the ability to genuinely love others.  Trying to do so without a vibrant, experiential love within us is like trying to give someone a drink from a well that has ran dry.  It can not be done! 

 

The Christian life is not just hard to live; it is impossible to live in our own strength.  True Christianity is not you and I living for Jesus, but Jesus living through us, “I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).  Nowhere is this more apparent than in loving people.  The kind of love that Jesus commands including turning the other cheek (Matthew 5:39) and forgiving those who crucify us (Luke 23:34).  This kind of love is humanly impossible.  It can only be done through allowing the supernatural love of God to flow through you. 

 

Therefore, loving others is the fruit—not the root—of God’s love for you.  As you return to the joy of understanding how much God loves you the way you did when you first received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you will love others more than you have before. 

 

Prayer—Father thank You for loving me and giving me a fresh revelation of how much You love me so that I can love others as You have loved me, in Jesus Name. Amen.