1Jo 4:6-8 “We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
1Jo 2:9-11 “He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.
He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”
1Jo 3:1 “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.”
God has chosen a man as His companion, as someone whom He wants to build His Kingdom with. This is a privilege that even angels do not have. It’s an expression of His love towards us. God has always loved men and it was never otherwise. Despite all the failures that man went through, God’s main interest was his good. His desire is for every single one to be saved.
This can take place only after one will ask
God for help. First of all he obviously needs to find out about it,
hear about it. And he also needs to experience in his own heart, that
the spoken word is really God’s word – in other words God’s personal
message to him. This word to a man can only be brought by another man.
By a person who knows the Truth of the Gospel and it’s obvious that God
is with him. This applies to an individual as well as the church.
We
can recognize God’s presence among Christians in many ways. I.e.
manifestations of the spiritual gifts, when nonbeliever is convicted of
his sin among Christians without them even speaking with him. One can
also witness a miraculous healings, etc.
However Jesus puts one
thing above all: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one
another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this
all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one
another." (John 13:34-35) Should there be such love among us, than
the world will know, that we truly are Jesus’ disciples and our words
are Jesus’ Words that bring salvation, eternal life.
Love is one
of the foremost subjects in the Word of God. One has a real biblical
love, when they love God and people. Their love is focused on God and
others, not themselves. (1Jo 4:6-8) Such love has the power to bring
people to church and consequently to God and salvation. We can’t love
God and not to love our brothers. If that’s someone’s case, then we
can’t talk about real biblical love. Jesus even says that he who hates
his brother, is in darkness until now. (1Jo 2:9-11)
According to
our love towards our brothers , the world will know, whether Jesus is
in us or not. A person full of God’s love loves God, loves His word
(and His commandments) and loves His children. Love is not beautiful
yet empty words. Love embodies action, willingness to sacrifice
ourselves for the ones we love (1Jo 3:1). The ones who have God’s love
in them will recognize God’s servants and welcome them; they don’t hide
sin, and above all seek profit of others, their brothers particularly.
The more of this atmosphere in church is present, the more obvious will
God’s presence will become – inside the church and out. And the more
will the world become eager to hear and believe what church has to say
about the Gospel Truth.
