1 John 4

We’ve seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father  sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus  is God’s Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with  God. We know it so well, we’ve embraced it heart and soul, this love  that comes from God.

God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love,  we live in God and God lives in us. There is no room in love for fear.  Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful  life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in  love.

We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.

We love because we are loved. The kind of Love that this passage is  about is exemplified by Jesus sacrificially becoming one of us. Since  Jesus was born, a fearful life, a fear of death, a fear of judgment is  banished — because well-formed Love vanishes fear.

The Love we have on our own for one another is fragile and  transactional. The kind of Love that this passage is talking about goes  beyond any kind of love we can have on our own. But it’s a Love that is  available. Not only for us but through us to others. A kind of intimacy,  acceptance, and without limitation because of the one who first loved  us and sacrificially came for us. This kind of Love is a power that  wipes out fear. We can know this Love and give this Love because we were  shown this Love first. As the scripture says — First we were loved, now  we love.

Let's pray: God of Love, Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to  us. Love incarnate. Help us walk in that Love during the weeks of  Advent, as we wait and prepare for his coming again. Thank You for Your  unfailing, sacrificial and redeeming Love for me. Immanuel, God with us.