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Love ... GodTuesday, January 5, 2010
1 John 4:8 and 1 John 4:16 Not loving (although he is) but love. Not loves (although he does) but love. God is love ... Jews were not allowed to say his name. G-d, or Yahweh, was awesome and beyond our understanding, so naming him was not possible. We name the animals; they do not name us. God names us; we do not name him. Jesus taught John what he knew from his Father, that God is love. Every quality of God is contained in this being of love, including most importantly, his justice. God "desires mercy, not sacrifice." He insists that we forgive each other over and over, without end. Jesus equates enemy with friend: conflict is no longer divisive but only another, better chance to love. There is no punishment in his justice, only love. In The Road Less Traveled Scott Peck writes that the feeling of being a valuable human being grows out of being valued as a child. As my parents spend quantities of quality time with me, I know I am valuable. When they don't, I involuntarily question my value. None of us parents can do this for our kids the way God can. And he does it for us, too. No wonder God asks me to become a child again and to believe him when he says, "I will never leave you or forsake you." He insists on it. He really isn't going anywhere. Rob Bell's book Sex God reminds me how often I measure physical pleasure against spiritual wholeness and satisfaction. My whole body weighs in on that one. But there's no measuring love like that. God and love are the same thing. Do not worry about tomorrow. God is love. Faith the size of a mustard seed will move a mountain. God is love. Do not be afraid. God is love. Come walk on the water. God is love. You will have peace that surpasses understanding. God is love. As everything you tell me about yourself and our relationship resolves to these three words, Lord, it's clearer to me that I only have one part in all of this. That's to let you love me. Show me how, day by day by day, Lord. |
The translation of this phrase is not in dispute; every text from modern to ancient that I checked at biblegateway.com included the same words. God is love.