Marianne’s Notes: How can we love the right way?

I John 4:9, “In this the love of God was manifested towards us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.”

Coming off of the verses from yesterday regarding love being our measuring stick for knowing and loving God (Canyon Hills Community Church Sermon on Fruit of the Spirit), John follows this logic up with reminding us that the SAME love that drove Jesus to leave His throne and come to the world to ultimately be separated (for the first time E V E R) from the Father, to die for people in the midst of their sin, is the SAME love that empowers us to LIVE through Himself. 

I get this all backwards most days…I look at myself and lament my unloving ways…why?  Because I’m trying to love in my own strength and supply.  This isn’t how God lays it out!!  Marianne, we live “through Him” My life of loving others well is directly connected to how I’m loving my Father.  Just as He stated to love Him above all things (step 1) then love others as yourself (step 2).  Step 2 can’t happen successfully without step 1 AND further to the point, what is the point of loving others if I don’t love God?!  True love is TOO hard to do without God or because of God.  You can be kind.  You can be sacrificial.  You can be faithful…but all of these attributes have a selfish counterpart.  Love will cause us to go the distance when there isn’t hope of any return on investment.  Why do we love like this?  Because we are lavished by His love for us.  That love is sinless.  That love is true.  That love satisfies all other needs in our feeble hearts. 

I love how God is pressing us through love & forgiveness together! 

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