1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. #Bible
Notice The Apostle John addresses us as Beloved, meaning esteemed, dear, favorite, worthy of love.
John is demonstrating how Love from God works, we Love everyone. We need to remember that Love comes from God, we don't naturally just love in this sense. Our love always has conditions attached, like if I love what do I get out of it, for one example.
God's Love is unconditional, not expecting anything in return.
Let me ask some questions, what would our family say, do we treat those other than family better than our own family members?
Is our love used as a tool to get what will want from someone?
Do we use our love to win someone over to our side, or to get them to make us their favorite?
All of these are not love, it is merely manipulations that arise from our own selfishness.
If we love in any other way than how God Loves, we need to question our motives. We need to strive to be perfect and complete in Loving, as our God has demonstrated by sending His only Son Jesus to die on the Cross, paying the price for our sins. So we can be Loved by God our Father Himself with His Perfect Love.
To love in any other way says we don't know God, which questions, do we know Jesus the Christ.
Everyone we come in contact needs to see God's love from us, and especially our own family.
