Today's Reading: 1 John 4:16-21

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 5:1-23; John 12:20-36a

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. (1 John 4:16)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Faith is not easy. It can be hard to believe that God loves us as much as He does, because we know all the ways that we have sinned against God, against other people, and even against ourselves. We know we deserve punishment from God, yet He comes to us in love and saves us.

1 John 4 is a beautiful chapter because it tells us how God gives us His love in Christ. "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another" (1 John 4:9-11).

Love starts with God because He is love. He made His love clearly manifest to you by sending His Son Jesus. He has brought you to Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit, so that you may have life in Him. Jesus is the propitiation for your sins. He is the sacrifice that takes your sins away, so you have peace with God.

It can be hard to believe that God loves you this much. But God is persistent! He strengthens you in faith through His Word, in your Baptism, and at the Supper. The Holy Spirit works through all these things to bring you the love the Father has given you in Christ Jesus.

This is why we love others. This is why hating someone is not an option. Christ loves you and He loves the person you hate. He wants them to repent and be saved. Would you dare ask Him to stop loving them and to join you in hating them? God is love. He won't do that. He won't join you in hate. Instead, He brings you into His love.

At times, it's hard to love others. Sometimes certain relationships aren't safe. Turn to Christ. He forgives you. Ask Him to help you forgive. He is the Lord of love. You can trust Him to help. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, grant us a steadfast love in Jesus Christ, a cheerful hope in Your mercy, and a sincere love for You and one another; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch