Happy Easter, Real Love (4/19-20)

1 John 4:9, 10a, NLT “God showed how much He loved us by sending His only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love.”

*Everyone believes that love is important, but love is usually thought of as a feeling. In reality, love is a choice and an action, as 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 shows. God is the source of our love: He loved us enough to sacrifice His Son for us. Jesus is our example of what it means to love; everything He did in life and death was supremely loving.

*The Holy Spirit gives us the power to love; He lives in our heart and makes us more and more like Christ. God’s love always involves a choice and an action, and our love should be like His. How well do you display (show) your love for God in the choices you make and the action you take?

*John says, “God is love,” not “Love is God.” Our world, with its shallow (showing little knowledge, thought, or feeling) and selfish view (opinion) of love, has turned these words around and contaminated (changed the meaning of) our understanding of love. The world thinks that love is what makes a person feel good and that it is all right to sacrifice moral (conscience of right and wrong) principles (a rule of conduct or action) and others’ rights in order to obtain (get) such “love.” But that isn’t real love.

*Real love is like God, who is holy, just and perfect. If we truly know God, we will love as He does. Jesus is God’s only Son. While all believers are sons and daughters of God, only Jesus lives in this special unique relationship such as John 1:18 quotes, “No one has ever seen God. But His only Son, who is Himself God, is near to the Father’s heart, He (Jesus) has told us about Him (His Father).” [*Notes from QuickVerse Life Application Bible]

Song: Love, Wonderful Love

Love, wonderful love of God,

To me has been made known;

To me the Spirit freely gives

And claims for His own;

O love so wondrous, so divine,

That I am His and He is mine.

Chorus:

Love, wonderful love,

The love of God to me,

Love, wonderful love,

So great, so rich, so free;

Wide, as wide as the ocean,

Deep, as deep as the sea,

    High, as high as the heavens above,

His love to me.

(Seth Sykes, Sing His Praise)