Dwelling in Him Who “Is Love”

“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.” 1 John 4:16

Conversely, those who do not dwell in love, manifesting its fruit, are not dwelling in God at all.

Inasmuch as I am filled with/made one with God Himself, I am filled with love because He “is love.” Dwelling or abiding in the One who “is love” guarantees His love being “shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 5:5)

Love is the cardinal evidence or fruit that one knows God.

Do we truly know Him who “is love”? Love is a divine attribute that is, without exception, resident in every man who is truly in right standing with God (Galatians 5:22-23).

Poring prayerfully over 1 Corinthians 13 and the book of 1 John will great edify and teach the heart of the disciple of Christ.

To the degree that He who “is love” is increasing in my life, to that degree is His love filling this temple and being poured out upon others to His glory.

“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5

What are we without love, even if we do many great works and help many people?

1 Corinthians 13

 ¹Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

 ²And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

 ³And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Even if we give our own bodies to be burned at the stake and are not possessed by the love of God via a real relationship with Jesus Christ, it’s all in vain and utter rebellion before a holy God (Isaiah 64:6; 1 Corinthians 13).

How does God’s love look in the daily life of the one who truly knows Him who “is love”?

⁴Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

 ⁵Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

 ⁶Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

 ⁷Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

 ⁸Charity never faileth:

If I am not growing in love, I am not abiding in (connected to) Him who “is love.” If I do not love His beloved people, I simply do not know Him and all my religious activities are in vain, futile, and an abomination to Him.

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. ⁸He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8

Make no mistake: If a person does not show charity (as God’s Word defines it) toward others, that person does not know the LORD and is separated from Him.

Fresh Start with God

The Essential of Forgiveness: Are Your Hands Around Someone Else’s Throat? [podcast]

You are Beloved!

Evangelism Adventures: Stories, Reports, and Testimonies of God’s Amazing Love [podcast]