Scripture

God showed how much he loves us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love- not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

Observation
We must continue to love one another. If we do not love we do not know God. God’s love for us is seen in His Son. He loved us and sent His Son to die for our sins.

If we confess that Jesus is the Son of God we live in God. God is love. As we live in God our love grows more perfect. His command is that those who love God must love their brother and sister.

Application
God’s love is as big and as perfect as God Himself for God is love.

When Jesus was asked to summarise the whole of the Jewish Law, it came down to two thing- love God and love your neighbour.

Now John tells us that if we do not love others we do not know God who is love. Of course, like all of life, this is a growth process- our love becomes more perfect as we grow closer to God.

Prayer
Lord help me to know you more and to grow in your love. Amen.