November 8

1 John 4:8
 
LOVE is the manifestation of the divine nature. God is love. His love is shed abroad in our hearts by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:55And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:5)). As we walk in love we have fellowship with God. Observe, we are not told merely that God is loving. He is more than that. Love is the essence of the divine Being. We are told that God is merciful, but we could not say that God is Mercy. We know that He is compassionate, but it would be absurd to say God is Compassion. So with many others of His attributes. But we are distinctly told that God is light (1 John 1:55This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)), and God is love. Light and love tell us what He is in Himself. Light is, of course, a synonym for holiness. In the cross we see both light and love fully displayed. When our souls enter by faith into this, we receive the Holy Spirit, who is also the Spirit of love (2 Tim. 1:77For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)). And so we delight to walk in holiness (Heb. 12:1414Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: (Hebrews 12:14)) and in love. We manifest love for God by showing love to His people (1 John 4:2020If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? (1 John 4:20)). We prove our love for Christ by obeying His commandments and keeping His words (John 14:15, 2315If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15)
23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23)).
“Come, let us all unite and sing—
God is love!
While heaven and earth their praises bring—
God is love!
Let every soul from sin awake,
Each in his heart sweet music make,
And sweetly sing for Jesu’s sake—
God is love!
Oh, tell to earth’s remotest bound—
God is love!
In Christ is full redemption found—
God is love!
His blood can cleanse our sins away;
His Spirit turns our night to day,
And leads our souls with Joy to say—
God is love!”
—Howard Kingsbury.