1 John 4:10-12, John is sharing with us about the origin of love. The first thing he wants us to understand is that love started with God, and love is not what you say, but what you do. John wants to make it crystal clear that God loves us, and it was made evident through God sending His Son. Jesus came to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Think about this, God saw the mess we made because we did the opposite of what He required. Therefore, sin was running rapidly through the world creating havoc, and destroying lives. Sin was successful because God was not present in our lives. God saw how we were living, but it did not cause Him to waiver in sending His Son. God did not focus on our sins, but on our need to be saved. Jesus Christ was the only One who could create an opportunity for our lives to be changed. God is teaching us through His actions not to focus on the problem, but on the solution. The way God was going to do this was through showing us love. God’s actions are showing us agape love, this is love that is unconditional. 

John understood how awesome this love is; he saw it taking form when Jesus was being crucified. When they were placing Him on the cross Jesus said, “Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” God’s love for us is focused on our need to be saved, and not on the sins we have committed. In verse 11, John says, “Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.” Why, because we all came from a place where sin once dominated our lives. By loving each other, we are encouraging one another to serve the Lord, and let each other know you are not alone.  John says in verse 12, “No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and His love is perfected in us.” This is a powerful statement that we must break down in sections. The purpose of the first statement is to let it be known no one has an advantage, we are all in the same place. 

Then John shares the advantage we have if we love one another, and that is God lives in us. When we love each other the door of our hearts are opened, and God comes in to be with us. Once this happens God’s love is perfected in us. Why would God bless us with something that is perfect when we are not close to being perfect. God is doing this to make us aware that He can bring perfection out of a place where we don’t think  possible. None of us deserve this opportunity, but God’s love for us is great. Many may struggle with doing this because they don’t think they are worthy, and they are correct none of us are. But, His love for us sees what we will become when we let God in.  I know loving others can be hard because the love you have sent out in the past did not come back. God’s love is unconditional and all you have to do is give it out to all you come in contact with. The more you do this, the more love God pours into your life. You may also feel it’s not possible for God’s love to be perfected in you. I’m challenging you to step out in faith, and you will be amazed in how God is going to move in your life. Therefore, let God in. Continue to walk in your blessings!