“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” 1 John 4:7–12 NIV
Comment
The Greek word used for love in this passage is “agape”: selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love, the highest kind of love in the bible. It is a verb, involving action more than feelings. It’s this love that is given as a gift to Christ followers through the Holy Spirit. It’s this love that marks us out as believers. It’s this love that binds believers together in unity. It’s this love that secures our relationships and allows couples to reflect God’s image in a unique way. It’s this love that is patient and kind and forgiving, focusing on the needs of another.
God is love, revealed through Christ and the Cross.
Love is made complete in us.
Wow.
I need more of this agape love so that I can love my wife better. I need others to see more of it in me so they can see more of what God is like. I need more of it so that I can be more compassionate…. More like Jesus.
How about you?
Prayer (as a couple)
Father God. It’s difficult to get our heads around the enormity of your love. In the power of the Holy Spirit help us to understand and receive more of it and to “do” love with each other and to reflect your image to those around us. We can’t do this alone so please help us and make your love complete in us. Amen
Prayer (for others)
Father God we pray for _____ and _____. We pray that they will know and receive your love in a new and fresh way. We pray that they will love one another with ”agape” love, in the power of the Holy Spirit and we pray that they will reflect your image to those around. Make your love complete in them. Amen
Final quote
Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:8