1 John 4:7-21
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
This Scripture reveals that the root source of LOVE, as in its purest form is found only in God. It implies that it is impossible to truly love apart from Him
8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
this is love’s litmus test. Like a Pregnancy test, the + or – sign tells all. + Love= knows God. – Love = does not know God. Love for God and for others, in its purest form, can only come from God Himself.
9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.
So, this is love, love manifested. I knew manifested came from the same root word as manifesto, so I looked up the word “manifesto” @ dictionary.com
man·i·fes·to a public declaration of intentions, opinions, objectives, or motives, as one issued by a government, sovereign, or organization.
So, God’s public declaration of intentions toward us is: “I want you to live, and you can only live through Me, so I will bridge the gap between Us, caused by your sins. I will come down in the form of flesh and take the penalty for your rebellion, disobedience and pride upon Myself. So, this is love.
10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Sometimes things really are a ONE WAY street. This is true of LOVE. God is the ONE WAY to truly love. So what is, propitiatton, and what does that have to do with love?
Propitiation = In Christianity, Propitiation is a theological term denoting that by which God is rendered propitious, i.e., that ‘satisfaction’ or ‘appeasement’ by which it becomes consistent with His character and government to pardon and bless sinners. The propitiation does not procure his love or make him loving; rather, it renders it consistent for him to exercise his love towards sinners. ( reference.com )
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Now that’s something to aspire to, to love as God loves. I am slowly learning what this means. I am so full of self interest sometimes, that Love in its purest form, can only come through me from God. God is the ‘out-sourcing’ of any actual Love for Others. If I truly want to love, I must learn from the Master of Love, God Himself
hisshadowings.com 