OceanSide church of Christ
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Love
Perfected
By
Wayne Rodgers
I
love studying the book of First John. For in it, we see a correlation
between the love of God and the love we are to have for our brethren. In
chapter four, John wrote: “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of
God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that
loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the
love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the
world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we 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 ought also to love one
another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another,
God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us” (1 John
4:7-12).
He has shown His love, “he loved us, and sent his Son…for our sins”
(v. 10). The apostle Paul would say to the Romans, “God
commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died
for us” (
The love for our brethren is to be shown as well. John writes,
“If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another”
(4:11). This is the same type of love that God had for us, which
brings about forgiveness. Only true love can allow one to forgive a wrong
done against them and let it be as if it has never happened. This is the
idea of true forgiveness. Our relationships with our brethren are so
important for the work of Christ. John writes in his gospel, “A new
commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that
ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my
disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34, 35).
This love is to be a recognizable trait in the body of Christ to the world
around us. If we are living righteously, then we will show love to one
another causing us to forgive one another as God has forgiven us. “So
likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts
forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses” (Matt.
18:35).
We can have assurance of eternal salvation in Christ Jesus, if we meet
these conditions: being born of God (5:1), walking in the light
(1:7), doing His commands (2:3), loving God and loving our
brethren (4:20-21). The apostle Peter stated it very simply:
“…Love the brotherhood…” (1 Peter 2:17). Let us remember the
correlation between the love of God and our love to one
another.