“In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:10-11

The marketers at Coco-Cola tried to convince us starting in 1971 that buying the world a Coke and the world singing in perfect harmony went hand-in-hand. No matter what your preferred brand of soda, buying everyone a soft drink will not make all of our problems go away. Neither will the discovery of a vaccine for the Coronavirus. In fact, no political party or singular leader can bring about harmony in our land. However, if I could do one thing it would be to teach the world the Gospel or buy the world a copy of 1 John. For only God’s Word can bring about change in sinful humanity.

In 1 John, there is no room for pride as we are confronted with the truth that we are all sinful and that there is no place for hatred among those who are children of God. In this beautiful letter we are shown that love is not a feeling or an emotion, but ultimately God. Love therefore is God’s willing sacrifice of His Son on the cross to cover over our sins. Since God has so loved us, we are moved to love one another.

True love is not the stuff of sappy soda-pop jingles, but God’s action to send His Son to lay down His life for us. Reading 1 John dispels the cultural myths regarding Christianity and points everyone to God’s love for us and then the loving response of Christians toward one another. If you know someone who characterizes Christians as unloving, take the time to read 1 John with them. There it will show them that though Christians are sinful, God would have us to confess our sin, receive His forgiveness and then love one another because He has first loved us. It may take a little longer to read than a Coca-Cola commercial, but the words of 1 John are the Words of life! May God bless us by His Word that we might love not in word or talk, but in deed and truth.

Prayer – O holy and most merciful God, You have taught us the way of Your commandments. We implore You to pour out Your grace into our hearts. Cause it to bear fruit in us that, being mindful of Your mercies and Your love we may always be directed to Your will and daily increase in love toward You and one another; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Fraternally in Christ,

President Lee Hagan