1 John 4: How to See God
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God IS love.
Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 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.
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.
We love because he first loved us.
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. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
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John's letter is a short course in how to see God.
We can't see God, but we can see love--and that's enough.
Show love. Do love. That's it.
In these times of anxiety and unrest, it's important to remember:
Anything--any opinion--any politics--any agenda that keeps us from loving our brothers and sisters is an idol.
Those are all small things.
Loving each other--even when we disagree--that's the big stuff.
Don't sweat the small stuff.
Just love God, and show that love to God's children.
When you see love, you see God.
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Lord, I prefer to love the people I like.
And some days THEY get on my last good nerve.
Grant me grace to love my neighbor as I love myself.
Today, let me see God,
and let me show God's love to those who cannot see.
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