This week I would like to touch on a scripture found in 1 John 4:15-21:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
19 We love him, because he first loved us.
21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
This passage of scripture is one that has newly come to my knowledge and understanding. The question that came to my mind as I pondered the passage was what qualities inherent in love made it able to dispel fear, and how I could move further along the love gradient, and thus having less fear.
Now, when one thinks of the opposite of love, usually the word "hate" comes to mind. Hate is not equal to fear, but most definitely touts fear as one of its components. So, to conceptualize this one, I thought to work backwards. I thought of the opposite of fear, which I know to be confidence and faith, as I have been taught since my youth. So, what is it about faith that is lovely?
From the above verse 20 it can be gleaned that it takes more faith to love God because we have not seen him. Love, therefore, is an act of faith in itself. What then, are the attributes attainable to make love perfect? Here are my thoughts:
"Because Jesus loved His followers and because they knew He loved them, He was able to speak openly and honestly with them. He reproved Peter at times because He loved him, and He wanted to help him become all that he was capable of becoming. And because Peter knew the Lord loved him, he was able to accept the reproof and grow from it. We need to pray for the gift of love so that those whom we serve will feel our love. Just as Christ’s followers were bound one to another by His love, so too should the members in each ward and branch be 'knit together in love.'" (Ensign, February 1999)
It is my hope that we all can follow the Savior's example, and seek to love those who surround us. Have a great week!
This passage of scripture is one that has newly come to my knowledge and understanding. The question that came to my mind as I pondered the passage was what qualities inherent in love made it able to dispel fear, and how I could move further along the love gradient, and thus having less fear.
Now, when one thinks of the opposite of love, usually the word "hate" comes to mind. Hate is not equal to fear, but most definitely touts fear as one of its components. So, to conceptualize this one, I thought to work backwards. I thought of the opposite of fear, which I know to be confidence and faith, as I have been taught since my youth. So, what is it about faith that is lovely?
From the above verse 20 it can be gleaned that it takes more faith to love God because we have not seen him. Love, therefore, is an act of faith in itself. What then, are the attributes attainable to make love perfect? Here are my thoughts:
- Perfect love first requires faith in true principles, and hope that God's promises will be fulfilled.
- Perfect love toward God and man is expressed in advance of any extrinsic reward, and in fact does not expect worldly compensation.
- Those who have a perfect love are motivated by the desire to serve God, not by the desire to receive spiritual blessings. They wish to be an instrument and to do His will for them.
- Perfect love is pursued and cultivated by the Spirit. It causes service that is selfless and self-propagating, which in turn leads to a greater desire to serve on part of the benefactor.
"Because Jesus loved His followers and because they knew He loved them, He was able to speak openly and honestly with them. He reproved Peter at times because He loved him, and He wanted to help him become all that he was capable of becoming. And because Peter knew the Lord loved him, he was able to accept the reproof and grow from it. We need to pray for the gift of love so that those whom we serve will feel our love. Just as Christ’s followers were bound one to another by His love, so too should the members in each ward and branch be 'knit together in love.'" (Ensign, February 1999)
It is my hope that we all can follow the Savior's example, and seek to love those who surround us. Have a great week!
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