“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7

This is a packed little verse. All in one sentence we are exhorted to love one another (“Beloved, let us love one another”), told where love comes from (“for love comes from God”), and given insight into what the presence of love in our lives is indicative of (“whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”).

I think it’s interesting that John states where love comes from and then immediately connects the demonstration of love in our lives as proof that we are God’s children.

Why is that? What is the connection there? For me, this has been a game changer.

Coming to the realization that love is not someTHING. It is not a quality to be attained. It is not something that is developed with practice and perseverance. It is not something that can be manufactured or conjured up in my own efforts.

Love is a Being. Love is God Himself. They are inseparable; they are one and the same. Since love is a Being and not a quality to be attained, in order to be in possession of love, we must be possessed BY love (God). God in us equates love in us. Apart from His indwelling love does not exist in our lives. Love isn’t an ability we are capable of. Again, Love is a BEING. It is only by Him and allowing Him to love through us that we are able to demonstrate true love to others.

When we witness in others genuine love, as defined in the Word of God, we can be sure that they have been “born of God and know God.”

~Cara Keilen