No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us - perfect love!
1 John 4:12 - MSG
Perfect love…. Hhhmmm… here’s that word “perfect” again. It’s important to understand that no one is ever going to be perfect while we journey together here on planet Earth. No, not even the most well-intentioned followers of Jesus will ever be perfect. But perhaps the problem isn't with the word itself, but with our understanding of what God means when He uses it.
The word "perfect" here isn't describing a state of flawless behavior. Rather, it means "brought to maturity, completion, or its intended goal." And when God's love reaches that intended purpose in us, our behavior will indeed change. God’s love is not meant to remain an abstract concept; it reaches its full purpose when it flows through Christians into the lives of others.
Oh! That perfect. When we overflow into the lives of others in Christlikeness. That's when perfect happens. That's when God's love fulfills its purpose in us—when it flows through us.
But look at the first part of today's verse. What does not ever having seen God have to do with perfect love? Of course, we know that because God is Spirit and has no physical body, human eyes cannot see His full divine essence. But the rest of the verse gives us a wonderful picture of what happens when we love one another deeply, as God loves us. His very presence becomes visible through us.
The Word tells us that God is love. So, when we love as God loves, could it possibly be that others are seeing who God is through us? Could they be experiencing the very essence of God simply because we love them the way He loves them?
Think about that for a moment. People who have never seen God can nevertheless experience His love through someone who knows Him.
Yes, God is invisible. Yet He makes His presence visible through love—our love for others. Though people cannot look upon God directly, they can experience His presence through the love demonstrated by those who follow Him.
The world may never see God with its eyes, but it should be able to recognize Him through the way we love.
And think of this: Mutual Christian love serves as practical, lived-out evidence that God actually lives inside the one who follows Jesus.
As an aside, that person would be a disciplined follower of Jesus. After all, being a disciple means being a follower and learner of Christ, allowing His teachings and example to shape the way we live. When we discipline ourselves to live a Christlike life and pour out our love—His love—to the world around us, then the world will begin to get a glimpse of who God is through His perfect love.
Prayer
Father, thank You for loving us with a love that is perfect in every way. Thank You that Your desire is not simply to improve our behavior, but to transform our hearts until Your love flows freely through us. Help us to become disciplined followers of Jesus who reflect Your character in our words, attitudes, and actions.
Teach us to love others the way You love us. Let Your love become visible through our lives so that those around us may catch a glimpse of who You are, even if they have never known You.
Lord, continue Your work within us. Bring Your love to its intended purpose in our hearts and let it overflow into the lives of everyone You place in our path today. May the world see You through us and be drawn closer to Jesus because we chose to love as You first loved us.
In Jesus' Name, Amen…
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