As we enter this month of love, let us turn our hearts to the powerful words found in 1 John 4:7-12. In these verses, the apostle John beautifully explains the essence of love, guiding us to a deeper understanding of its transformative power in our lives.
First, remember that love originates from God.
Our first point is rooted in verse 7, where John declares, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”
Love, at its core, is a divine attribute flowing from the very heart of God. As we celebrate love this month, let us remember that our capacity to love others is a reflection of God’s love for us. It is through knowing and experiencing God’s love that we find the source and inspiration to love one another.
Second, God showed His love through Jesus Christ.
Moving to verse 9, John reveals the ultimate expression of love: “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.” God demonstrated His love in the sacrificial gift of Jesus Christ.
As we celebrate love this month, let us reflect on the profound act of redemption, recognizing that true love involves selflessness, sacrifice, and the pursuit of the well-being of others. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we discover the model for authentic and transformative love in our own lives.
Third, obey the the command to love one another.
In verse 11, John reinforces the importance of love by stating, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
This verse emphasizes the command to love one another as a response to the love we have received from God. This love is not just a feeling; it is a deliberate choice and action.
As we celebrate love this month, let us be intentional in our love for others, recognizing that it is through our love that the world witnesses the transformative power of God’s love in action.
May this love month be a time of reflection on the divine origin of love, the sacrificial nature of God’s love, and our responsibility to love one another.
May God bless us all!
Sincerely,
Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Director, Office of Communications