Today’s Devotion
Topic: His Love Inspiring Ours – Part 2
Background: Today, we want to continue our discussion on love. Last week we established that the Word of God teaches best on LOVE than any other book that is, or that would be written. And that its pages draw attention to the simple fact that love is more of a responsibility than the sheer response to an emotional feeling towards a person or thing.
We will continue our search through the first epistle of John to gain more understanding to how divine love is, and God’s expectations of us regarding it. Kindly gather the family around; let’s zoom straight into the Word of God.
Text: 1 John 4: 16b- 21
16b God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
19 We love because He first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And He has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. Amen
Questions:
1. In your opinion, what does it mean to say “GOD IS LOVE”?
2. In his quest to explain the correlation between God, Man and Love, John wrote that “Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” Kindly explain your understanding of what John was trying to put across.
3. According to verse 17, how will love be made complete among us so that we will be confident on the day of Judgement? Please explain your answer.
4. Again, he writes in verse 18 saying, “there is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment.” And that “the one who fears is not made perfect in love”. What are your thoughts on this, please?
5. “We love because He first loved us.” Please explain this.
6. According to verse 20, “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar”. Do you agree with this statement, and why?
7. John mentions a certain command that God has given us, in verse 21. What is that command and how do we practically live by it?
8. What have you learnt from today’s Bible study?
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