Devotional: The Love Test

1 John 4:7-21 “”If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 Jn. 4:20, NASB). We all have our favorite people. Last night I was telling my daughter that while I respect her right to choose her own friends, I, as her father, have my favorites. I like the fact that my favorites have been some of her best friends over the years. Although I have my favorites, I love all of her friends. This love for her friends is based on my love for my daughter. The reason for this is that I know my daughter, but I do not necessarily know her friends. In his first epistle, John tells us to love all the brothers. When we love the brothers it is evidence that we are born of God (v. 7). God loved us and Jesus died for our sins. The test of our love for God is this. First, we confess that Jesus is the Son of God (v. 14). We abide in love because we abide in God and He abides in us (v. 15). When we love God we have no fear (v. 18). We cannot love God if we do not love our brothers (and sisters) (v: 20). God commands us to love one another (v. 21). Prayer: Father, we thank you for your love for us shown to us by the gift of Your Son Jesus who died for our sins. We love You and we love all those who abide in Your love. Amen.