1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
"Love perfected", can you think of anything that your heart desires more than this? Indeed, is there anything that any of us has ever needed more than this? Can you imagine a world in which God's love is perfected in everyone? Not my love, not your love, not our love…His love! The context demonstrates that it is God's will that His love be perfected in us. Do you see that in the passage? Let me say it again to give it a chance to sink in, It is God's will that His love be perfected in us. In fact, the context reveals that if His love is not being perfected in us than something is wrong; seriously wrong!
If you are reading this and care very little about God's love being perfected in you, I must warn you that this may well indicate that God does not dwell in you. If, on the other hand, the realization that God wants to make you loving like He is loving greatly appeals to you, be encouraged! Be encouraged because it is the very presence of God within you that WILL accomplish this.
Herein lies our hope; (1) God wants us to love others (2) God Himself loves those around us (3) And most importantly, as we pointed out last week, God Himself lives within us. This is the very expectation of success! I must grow in love because the God who dwells within me IS love. We all realize that, left to ourselves, we are incapable of sustained love. But, dear Christian, WE ARE NOT LEFT TO OURSELVES. We are meant to show forth the love of God. It is, in fact, this love which proves that God indwells and is at work in us. It is not religion or rules that demonstrate a true Christian, it is love for others!