In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Into the Text
Abiding in Christ is rooted in understanding God’s love for us. The love of God isn’t something we have earned. It is not brought about by our response to God. John is emphasizing that it was because of God’s great love for us that we received the gift of new birth. He loved us and gave His Son for us long before we loved Him. Jesus loved us and took our punishment on Himself long before we took an interest in Him. It was not because of anything good we had done or would do in the future. It was simply because He loves us.
Abiding means staying close to Jesus, soaking in His love, and allowing that love to transform our hearts. It means resting in the assurance that we are loved deeply and unconditionally. Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians (3:14-19) was that they would to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge so that they would be filled up to all the fullness of God. The more we grasp the love of Jesus for us, the more we will be filled with divine life and love.
When we choose kindness, forgiveness, or patience, even when it’s difficult, we are showing the world the love of God at work within us. Each act of love is a response to the love we’ve received.
Let’s make it our goal to grow in our understanding of His immeasurable love for us.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank you for your unfailing love. Help me to abide in you daily, allowing me to get a deeper understanding of your great love for me. Please open the eyes of my heart. Amen.